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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Spigelia marilandica (Woodland pinkroot)
Cressler, Alan

Spigelia marilandica

Spigelia marilandica (L.) L.

Woodland Pinkroot, Pinkroot, Indian Pink

Loganiaceae (Logania Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SPMA3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Woodland Pinkroot or Indian Pink is an, erect, clump-forming perennial, 12-28 in. tall, with 4-7 pairs of lance-shaped leaves along a wiry stem. Leaves are opposite, 1-4 inches long, tapering to a point. Each stem bears a terminal, one-sided spike of deep-red to scarlet, tubular flowers - each ending in five yellow lobes. The flower clusters grow along the last 2 inches or so of the 4-sided stem, which is curved downward at the top. Trumpet-shaped, the flower is a narrow tube, 1 1/2 inches long, ending in 5 petal-like lobes, yellow-green on the inside and bright red on the outside of the tube.

This plant does very well in gardens. It blooms from the bottom upward and the flowering season can be prolonged by removing the flowers as they wither.

 

From the Image Gallery

31 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 28 inches tall.
Flower: Flowers 2 inches

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: KY, s. IL & s. MO, s. to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Shaded woods, Open woodlands, Woodlands' edge, Opening

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, sandy, fertile soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Acid-based
Conditions Comments: Bloom period can be prolonged by removing flowers as they wither. Indian pink withstands a fair amount of shade. It does not compete well with aggressive plants.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Bog or pond area, Water garden
Use Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagate by spring-sown seed or by root division.
Seed Collection: Blossoms open one at a time, and seed formation follows the same sequence. A piece of netting tied over green seed capsules will retain seeds as they ripen and fall out. Store dry.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Spigelia marilandica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Spigelia marilandica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Spigelia marilandica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-28
Research By: TWC Staff

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