Lygodesmia aphylla (Nutt.) DC.

Rose Rush

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Rose Rush is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is known from a single county (Houston) in southeast Alabama. It also occurs in Florida and Georgia. Rose Rush grows in sandy flatwoods, in pine barrens, and on roadsides. It is a perennial with a woody, branched rhizome. The stems are erect, green in color, striate, and branched from above the middle. Leaves are in basal rosettes and wither before flowering. The leaves are linear and entire. The stems may have 2-3 small scale-like leaves near the base. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are solitary or in corymbs. Each head has is subtended by 8-14 calyculi (small leaf like bracts). The 8 phyllaries are linear and often have purplish tips. Each head has 8-10 ray florets and no disc florets. The ray florets are ligulate (strap shaped) and blue to pink-purple in color. The fruit is an achene. Rose Rush is currently tracked by the Alabama Natural Heritage Program as a S1 species (Typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state.) Globally it is listed as a G4G5 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors).--A. Diamond

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Native S1 (State Rank) G4G5 (Global Rank)

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