Houstonia serpyllifolia

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
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Gentianales
Family:
Rubiaceae
Genus:
Houstonia
Species:
H. serpyllifolia
Binomial name
Houstonia serpyllifolia
Michx.
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Anotis serpyllifolia (Michx.) G.Don
  • Hedyotis serpyllifolia (Michx.) Torr. & A.Gray
  • Oldenlandia serpyllifolia (Michx.) A.Gray
  • Houstonia tenella Pursh
  • Anotis tenella (Pursh) G.Don
  • Houstonia serpyllifolia f. alba Alexander
  • Hedyotis michauxii Fosberg
  • Hedyotis michauxii f. alba (Alexander) Fosberg

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
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Tropicos
  3. "Houstonia serpyllifolia". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  4. Alan Weakley (2015). "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States".
  5. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  6. Biota of North America Program
  7. Chester, Edward (2015). Guide to the Vascular Plants of Tennessee.
  8. Michaux, André. 1803. Flora Boreali-Americana 1: 85
  9. Wildflowers of the United States


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