Houstonia serpyllifolia

Houstonia serpyllifolia, commonly called thymeleaf bluet,[3] creeping bluet, mountain bluet, Appalachian bluet or Michaux's bluets[4] 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.[5] It has been documented in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, western Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and northeastern Georgia.[1][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
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.[5]

The specific epithet "serpyllifolia" alludes to the resemblance between this plant and the culinary herb wild thyme, Thymus serpyllum.[8]

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. Wildflowers of the United States
  5. Alan Weakley (2015). "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States".
  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


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