Houstonia purpurea L.

Mountain Houstonia

© DETenaglia

Family - Rubiaceae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

	Inflorescence.
© DETenaglia

Flowers - No info. yet.

	Corolla.
© DETenaglia

Flowering - May - June.

Habitat - Moist or open rocky woods, rocky slopes, stream banks.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This striking little species can be found in the Ozark region of Missouri. This species is easy to identify in the field because of its ovate leaves, which have 3-5 visible nerves, and its whitish-purple flowers, which are clustered at the apex of the stems.
Steyermark lists two varieties in Missouri. Variety purpurea has leaves which are 10-35mm broad and calyx lobes which are up to 4.5mm long at anthesis. This variety is pictures above. Variety calycosa Gray has leaves which are 4-12mm broad and calyx lobes which are 4-6.5mm long at anthesis.

Photographs taken in Brown Summit, NC., 5-18-02.