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Native Plant Database

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Rhexia mariana (Maryland meadowbeauty)
Reid, Marian

Rhexia mariana L.

Maryland meadowbeauty, Maryland meadow-beauty, Meadow beauty

Melastomataceae (Melastome Family)

USDA Symbol: rhma

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The slender, lightly hairy stems of this 2 1/2 ft. perennial bear attractive pairs of densely hairy lance-shaped, distinctly veined leaves. The white or rose-colored to purple flowers are 2 in. across and are loosely arranged in leaf axils at the top of the stem. The four petals are attached to a cylindrical floral tube. A cluster of yellow-orange stamens contrast with the petals.

Pale Meadow Beauty is a member of the meadow beauty family (family Melastomaceae), which includes herbs, trees and shrubs, with flowers generally in clusters. There are about 175 genera and 3,000 species, mostly in tropical regions, particularly South America, but Rhexia is native to the United States and Cuba.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower: Flowers 2 inches
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: Coastal Plain from e. MA to VA, across s. states at low altitudes to TX, & n. in the interior to s. IN, MO & KS
Native Habitat: Savannas & meadows; marshes & bogs
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Mesic to wet, fertile soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Acid-based
Conditions Comments: Var. mariana occurs in the interior; var. purpurea on the Coastal Plain.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Water garden, Bog or pond area
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Description: Seeds are too small to be planted outdoors. Seedlings grow slowly, need to be kept moist, and are susceptible to damping off. Stem cuttings taken any time during the growing season can be rooted under mist. Where colonies with many stems have formed, d
Seed Collection: The fruit turns from green to copper, dry out and become brittle when the seeds are mature. Store the cleaned seeds in a sealed, refrigerated container.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1988 VOL. 5, NO.2 - Researching Wildflower Seed Quality, Wildflower Center Receives $500 -000 Gift, ...
Wildflower Newsletter 1992 VOL. 9, NO.1 - Research Update, Creating Native Lawn with Sod, Director's Report, What Makes Pl...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-04-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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