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Smith, R.W.

Sabatia campestris

Sabatia campestris Nutt.

Texas Star, Rose Gentian, Meadow Pink, Prairie Rose-gentian, Prairie Sabatia

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: saca3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Texas Star or Prairie Rose-gentian is a smooth annual plant, to 20 in., with slender, widely spaced branches. The 2 in. flower is five-petaled and pink with a yellow center. The showy flowers occur at ends of branches and on long axillary stalks. Opposite leaves clasp the stems.

Texas-star usually forms large colonies by readily self-seeding.

From the Image Gallery

34 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.
Flower: Petals 5

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Flowers are usually deep pink, occasionally purplish pink to white.

Distribution

USA: AR , CT , IA , IL , KS , LA , ME , MO , MS , OK , TX
Native Distribution: IL & KS, s. to MS & e. TX
Native Habitat: Sandy prairies; cedar-oak flats; woodland edges; stream banks

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry or moist, sandy soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam.
Conditions Comments: Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in late summer or early autumn in sand or loam. Best with summer water when blooming. Once started, will self sow and develop into large colonies of pink stars. Meadow pink usually forms large colonies by readily self-seeding.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Wildflower meadow, Can be mowed, Garden, Blooms ornamental, Color, Perennial garden
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Plant seeds early in fall and do not cover.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
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
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-24
Research By: DEW, JSC

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