Houstonia rosea
| Houstonia rosea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flowering individual of Houstonia rosea | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Houstonia |
| Species: | H. rosea |
| Binomial name | |
| Houstonia rosea (Raf.) Terrell | |
Houstonia rosea, commonly known as the rose bluet, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to the central and southeastern United States, where it occurs in a variety of disturbed and open habitats.[2][3]
Description
Houstonia rosea is a small herbaceous plant or subshrub. It produces delicate flowers that are typically pink to rose-colored, a feature reflected in both its scientific and common names.[2]
Flowering occurs primarily from March to April, occasionally beginning as early as February in warmer portions of its range.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to the central and southeastern United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.[2][4]
It is typically found in bottomlands, lawns, and other disturbed or open habitats.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as Hedyotis rosea by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1817 and later transferred to the genus Houstonia by Edward E. Terrell in 1986.[5]
Synonyms
Synonyms of Houstonia rosea include:[2]
- Hedyotis rosea Raf.
- Hedyotis minima f. albiflora Lathrop
- Hedyotis taylorae Fosberg ex Shinners
- Houstonia minor var. pusilla (A.Gray) Small
- Houstonia patens var. pusilla A.Gray
- Houstonia pygmaea C.H.Mull. & M.T.Mull.
Conservation
Houstonia rosea is ranked as globally secure (G5) by NatureServe, indicating that it is widespread and not currently at risk of extinction.[1]
At the state level, conservation status varies; for example, the species is considered apparently secure (S4) in Mississippi but possibly extirpated (SH) in Missouri, while remaining unranked or not assessed in several other states.[1]
The global conservation status has not been recently reviewed.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Houstonia rosea". NatureServe. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Cite error: The named reference
powowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - 1 2 3 "Houstonia rosea". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
- ↑ "Houstonia rosea (Raf.) Terrell". GBIF. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
- ↑ "Houstonia rosea (Raf.) Terrell". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2 April 2026.