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Stuart, Will

Pyxidanthera barbulata

Pyxidanthera barbulata Michx.

Flowering Pixiemoss, Pyxie

Diapensiaceae (Diapensia Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PYBA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A moss-like, trailing plant with numerous unstalked, white or pinkish, upright flowers at ends of short leafy branches.

This species, especially showy when in flower, is typical of dry sandy areas such as the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. The genus name, from the Greek pyxis ("small box") and the Latin anthera ("anther"), refers to the fact that the anthers open by means of a lid-like structure. Shortleaf Pyxie (P. brevifolia) has leaves hairy over the entire surface; it grows in the Carolinas.

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Trailing stems up to about 10 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: NC , NJ , NY , SC , VA
Native Distribution: New York and New Jersey; Virginia to South Carolina.
Native Habitat: Sandy pine barrens.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC				FACU				FACU

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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