1. Rhexia mariana L. (Maryland meadow beauty, dull meadow
beauty)
Pl. 455 f, g;
Map 2069
Rhizomes
present, sometimes shallow and stolonlike, the roots usually lacking tubers,
the stem bases not spongy-thickened. Stems 20–100 cm long, equally or unequally
4-angled, sometimes appearing nearly circular in cross-section, the angles not
or inconspicuously winged, the wings less than 0.25 mm wide, sparsely to
moderately glandular-hairy, especially at the nodes. Leaf blades (1–)2–8 cm
long, elliptic or ovate to narrowly ovate, becoming elliptic lanceolate to
narrowly lanceolate toward the stem tip, glabrous or more commonly sparsely to
moderately glandular-hairy. Hypanthium 6–12 mm long at fruiting, glabrous or
sparsely to moderately glandular-hairy, the necklike free portion usually
longer than than the body (the portion fused to the ovary) at fruiting. Petals
12–18 mm long, glabrous or with sparse glandular hairs on the outer surface and
margins. 2n=22, 44. June–October.
Scattered in the
southern third of the state (eastern [mostly southeastern] U.S. west to Kansas
and Texas). Sandy banks of streams and rivers, wet depressions of upland
prairies, sand prairies, and sandstone glades, open margins of ponds and
sinkhole ponds, and less commonly openings in bottomland forest; also ditches,
roadsides, railroads, and moist sandy open disturbed areas.