Amsonia ciliata Walter var. ciliata

Broadleaf Sandhill Bluestars; Fringed Bluestars

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Sandhill Bluestars is a native herbaceous perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It can be found in the southern half of Alabama. A variety, Threadleaf Sandhill Bluestars (Amsonia ciliata Walter var. tenuifolia (Rafinesque) Woodson) is known from Bibb County. Sandhill Bluestars occurs in sand hills, in dry pine forests, and in rocky woods. It is a clump forming species, with several stems from a short rhizome. The stems are green, terete (round in cross section), and pubescent. Stems are from 1-3 feet in height. The stems and leaves exude a white latex when broken. Leaves are alternate, lanceolate to linear in outline, entire, and ciliate along the margins. Flowers are produced in terminal panicles or cymes. The corolla is tubular with five triangular spreading lobes. The flower color is pale blue to white. There is a yellow or white spot at the throat of the corolla. The fruit is a cylindrical follicle with a single row of barrel-shaped seed. Plants become bright yellow in the autumn adding interest to the fall garden. Sandhill Bluestars is available from some wildflower nurseries. It prefers a deep sandy soil in full sun to partial sun, and is drought tolerant once established. It is very deer resistant. Large clumps can be dug and divided in the fall. Plants can also be grown from seed.--A. Diamond

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Native

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