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Houstonia longifolia
Houstonia longifolia Gaertn.
Longleaf Summer Bluet, Pale Bluets
Rubiaceae (Madder Family)
Synonym(s): Hedyotis longifolia, Hedyotis longifolia var. tenuifolia, Hedyotis nuttalliana, Hedyotis purpurea var. longifolia, Hedyotis purpurea var. tenuifolia, Houstonia longifolia var. compacta, Houstonia longifolia var. glabra, Houstonia longifolia var. tenuifolia, Houstonia purpurea var. tenuifolia, Houstonia tenuifolia, Oldenlandia purpurea var. tenuifolia
USDA Symbol: HOLO
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Clumps of basal leaves, larger than those of H. caerulea, form clumps to 1 ft. high. The dainty, tubular flowers of this perennial are pale, pinkish-white to purplish.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: ON
Native Distribution: ME to Sask., s. to GA & LA
Native Habitat: Open, sandy or rocky places; heath balds; deciduous woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist, sandy or gravelly soils.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesPropagation
Description: Plant seeds outside as soon as ripe or store, stratify and sow in the spring. Seeds should be sown at a shallow depth. These seedlings will germinate the first year and flower the second. Propagation by division is accomplished by digging the plants inSeed Treatment: Moist stratification.
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:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Houstonia longifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Houstonia longifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Houstonia longifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-14Research By: TWC Staff