Texas
Wildbuds

Houstonia acerosa var. acerosa

(Needleleaf Bluet)

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Houstonia acerosa var acerosa, Lubbock Lake Landmark, Lubbock Co. 2812

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Houstonia acerosa var. acerosa, Lubbock Lake Landmark, Lubbock Co. 2808

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Houstonia acerosa var. acerosa, Lubbock Lake Landmark, Lubbock Co. 2828

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Houstonia acerosa var. acerosa, Lubbock Lake Landmark, Lubbock Co. 2827

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Houstonia acerosa var acerosa, Lubbock Lake Landmark, Lubbock Co. 2820

Scientific Name Houstonia acerosa var. acerosa (Hedyotis acerosa var. acerosa) USDA PLANTS Symbol HOAC
Common Name Needleleaf Bluet ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 35034
Family Rubiaceae (Madder) SEINet
Reference
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Description Habitat: Sandy or limestone soils in grasslands and brushland, on rocky slopes, crevices and cliffs.
Plant: Low-growing, stout, woody perennial with numerous erect, much-branched stems, 2 to 12 inches tall.
Leaves: Thin, pointed leaves, up to 1/2-inch long, opposite or in whorls along the stem, sessile.
Inflorescence: Small, solitary tubular flowers in leaf axils or at stem tips, each with 4 (sometimes more) white to pink or purplish flared lobes with pointed tips and hairy edges; corollas less than 1/2-inch long.
Bloom Period: May to September.
References: Taxonomic Notes on Texan and Mexican Species of Hedyotis and Houstona (Rubiaceae) by Edward Terrell, and Hedyotis acerosa in "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason.
BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key
Texas Status:
Native

Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County

© Tom Lebsack 2024