Houstonia nigricans (Lam.) Fernald

Diamond Flowers; Prairie Bluet; Narrowleaf Bluet

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Prairie Bluet is a native perennial in the Madder family (Rubiaceae). It is found primarily in the Black Belt region of Alabama. Prairie Bluet occurs in prairies, on cedar glades, marl outcrops, road bank cuts through limestone, and on shell mounds near the coast. It is a perennial from a taproot. Several stems are produced from each crown. Stems are up to two feet in length, with linear or filiform, opposite leaves. Stems are branched above the middle. The small flowers are produced in terminal cymes. The corolla is funnelform with four lobes. The corolla is white to lavender in color. The corolla is pubescent on the inner surface. The fruit is a capsule. Prairie Bluet has been placed in Houstonia, Hedyotis, and Stenaria by various authors. Molecular evidence suggests that perhaps it should again be placed in Houstonia.--A. Diamond

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Native

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