Houstonia serpyllifolia
| Houstonia serpyllifolia | |
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| Species: | H. serpyllifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Houstonia serpyllifolia | |
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Houstonia serpyllifolia, commonly called thymeleaf bluet,[3] is a species of plant in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It is native to the eastern United States, where it is found in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains.[4] It has been documented in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, western Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and northeastern Georgia. [5][6]
Houstonia serpyllifolia is a low creeping perennial. It produces solitary, terminal blue flowers in spring and early summer.[7] It typically grows in moist areas, and is found habitats such as streambanks, mesic woods, grassy balds, seepy rock outcrops, and spray cliffs.[4]
The specific epithet "serpyllifolia" alludes to the resemblance between this plant and the culinary herb wild thyme, Thymus serpyllum.[8] Other common names include "creeping bluet", "mountain bluet", and "Appalachian bluet"[9]
References
- ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ Tropicos
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Houstonia serpyllifolia". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ a b Alan Weakley (2015). "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States".
- ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ Biota of North America Program
- ^ Chester, Edward (2015). Guide to the Vascular Plants of Tennessee.
- ^ Michaux, André. 1803. Flora Boreali-Americana 1: 85
- ^ Wildflowers of the United States
External links
- Southeastern Flora
- William Britten Photography, celebrating life in the Smoky Mountains
- Discover Life
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