Houstonia serpyllifolia | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Rubiaceae |
Genus: | Houstonia |
Species: | H. serpyllifolia
|
Binomial name | |
Houstonia serpyllifolia Michx.
| |
Synonyms[1][2] | |
|
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 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]