Rhexia mariana L. var. mariana

Maryland Meadow Beauty; Pale Meadow Beauty

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Maryland Meadow Beauty is a native herbaceous perennial in the Melastome family (Melastomataceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Maryland Meadow Beauty occurs along streams, in seeps, in wet roadside ditches, around ponds, and in low forests. It has a fibrous root system and slender, elongate rhizomes. It often forms extensive clones. The stems grow from one to two feet in height, and are branch near the top. The stem is four angled with the faces distinctly unequal at mid-stem. One pair of opposite faces is broad and rounded, the other is narrow and flat. The angles of the stems are not winged and the stem is pubescent with spreading hairs. Leaves are opposite and toothed. They are linear to lanceolate or elliptic in outline, finely serrate, and pubescent. Flowers are produced in cymes. Each flower has four pale lavender or white petals and eight stamens with large bright yellow curved anthers. The petals fall of easily, and individual flowers only last one day. The fruit is a capsule that is shaped like a vase. Maryland Meadow Beauty is one of the most widespread species of Rhexia in Alabama. A similar species, Virginia Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica Linnaeus), can also be found statewide. The two species often grow together. Virginia Meadow Beauty is a larger plant, usually 2-3 feet in height. It has a stem with equal sides. The leaves are much wider than in Maryland Meadow Beauty and the flowers are dark lavender or purple in color. Maryland Meadow Beauty is available from some wildflower nurseries, and is easily grown from seed. It can be grown in a bog garden or rain garden. It prefers partial sun and organic soil that is constantly moist.—A. Diamond

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Native

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