Scientific Name:
Houstonia serpyllifolia
Pronunciation:
hew-STOE-nee-uh sur-PILL-FOE-lee-uh
Common Name:
thyme-leaved bluets
Family Name:
Rubiaceae
Plant Type:
Ground cover
Key ID Features:
Creeping by runners to form dense masses; leaves opposite, ovate, most blades 2-9mm long x 0.5-7mm wide (reminiscent of wild thyme); flowers 1-1.5cm wide, 4 petals, violet with yellow or white centre.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
< 0.1m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
U.S. - northeast, U.S. - southeast
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Ground cover
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
4
Corolla Shape:
Cruciform
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue, Violet
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Runners (or stolons)
