About Houstonia pusilla Schoepf
Houstonia pusilla, commonly known as tiny bluet, is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is native to the United States, where it is common across the southeastern and central regions of the country. Its range extends from Texas to Florida, northward to Long Island and South Dakota, with an additional isolated population located in Pima County, Arizona. Houstonia pusilla is a low-growing plant, reaching 6 inches (150 mm) or less in height. It produces small flowers with a blue tint and a yellow center; each flower has four lobes and a diameter between 0.25–0.33 inches (6.4–8.4 mm). The plant grows in a central rosette form, with green herbaceous foliage. Leaves can grow up to 0.5 inches (13 mm) long, and are arranged oppositely on the stem. Each individual flower emerges from a single branch that grows from the leaf axil. This species requires full sun and blooms during spring and early summer. It acts as a groundcover, spreading through self-sowing, and grows in mildly acidic soil where grass is thin and moisture levels are sufficient to support growth. It can be found in habitats including dry open places, rocky ledges, granite glades, and rock outcrops.
