This delicate-looking spring perennial plant produces clusters of small tube-shaped flowers that are mainly pollinated by small bees and day-flying moths. There are two different flower forms. Some have long fertile styles with shorter non-fertile stamens, and others have long fertile stamens with shorter non-fertile styles. For pollination to be effective, insects must visit both flower types.
Flower Colour:
White
Flowering Season:
Spring
Summer
Fall
Flowering Months:
August
July
June
May
September
Canadian Rarity Status:
Not rare. Listed as “may be at risk” in Alberta and Quebec.
Physical Appearance:
Plants have several branching, 4-sided stems that grow 9-25 cm tall. A rosette of basal leaves withers before flowers bloom. The stem leaves are opposite and linear to lance-shaped, with smooth edges and one vein. Flowers are arranged in small flat-headed clusters. Each tube-shaped flower has four spreading lobes, a hairy throat, and a green calyx with four teeth. Fruits are capsules that split open at the top to release several small black seeds.
Seeds and/or plants may be available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Plants are easy to cultivate and adapt well to rock gardens.
Madder (Rubiaceae)
Long-leaved Bluets
Houstonia longifolia Gaertn.This delicate-looking spring perennial plant produces clusters of small tube-shaped flowers that are mainly pollinated by small bees and day-flying moths. There are two different flower forms. Some have long fertile styles with shorter non-fertile stamens, and others have long fertile stamens with shorter non-fertile styles. For pollination to be effective, insects must visit both flower types.
Flower Colour:
Flowering Season:
Flowering Months:
Canadian Rarity Status:
Not rare. Listed as “may be at risk” in Alberta and Quebec.
Physical Appearance:
Plants have several branching, 4-sided stems that grow 9-25 cm tall. A rosette of basal leaves withers before flowers bloom. The stem leaves are opposite and linear to lance-shaped, with smooth edges and one vein. Flowers are arranged in small flat-headed clusters. Each tube-shaped flower has four spreading lobes, a hairy throat, and a green calyx with four teeth. Fruits are capsules that split open at the top to release several small black seeds.
Similar Species:
Pale Comandra, Northern Bedstraw, Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima L.)
Gardening Notes:
Seeds and/or plants may be available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Plants are easy to cultivate and adapt well to rock gardens.
Canadian Distribution:
Prairie Types:
Habitats:
Moisture Conditions:
Light Preference:
Soil Preference:
Associated Pollinators: