NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Houstonia caerulea

Scientific Name:	Houstonia caerulea
Genus:	Houstonia
Species Epithet:	caerulea
Common Name:	Quaker Ladies, Innocence, Common Bluet
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Rubiaceae (Madder Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	0-1 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	White, Blue
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Bloom Time:	March, April, May, June, July
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Forests, woodlands, openings, lawns, a wide variety of disturbed sites (Weakley 2015). Common throughout NC.
Leaf Arrangement:	Opposite, Basal
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Suitable for home landscapes
State Rank:	S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	This plant likes sun and dampness but will grow in many environments. In the Piedmont and coast it will generally bloom more sparsely than in the cooler mountains.
Blooms Tom Harville
Blooms
Blooms in moss Tom Harville
Leaves Tom Harville
Bloom & Bud
Tiny plant with round basal leaves, paired stem leaves, and small blue flowers atop a rather long peduncle. Plants are found in clusters. Orange Co., NC, -cultivated Bettina Darveaux
Although small, they are surprisingly showy. Panther Branch Natural Area, Orange Co., NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Southeasternflora