Cuthbertia graminea Small, Fl. S.E. U.S., 237, 1328. 1903; Tradescantia rosea Vent. var. graminea (Small) E. S. Anderson & Woodson

Herbs, perennial, cespitose, erect to ascending. Roots glabrous to sparsely puberulent. Stems (4--)15--25(--40) cm. Leaves ascending; basal leaf sheaths glabrous to pilose or puberulent; blade linear, 4--17 ´ 0.1--0.5 mm (distal leaf blades much narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened). Inflorescences: bracts often elongate, sometimes minute, 2--14 mm, if elongate ± herbaceous, if minute scarious. Flowers pedicellate; pedicels (0.7--)1.2--2 cm; petals pink to rose, 8--10 mm; filaments bearded. Capsules 2--3.5 mm. Seeds 1.5--2 mm. n = 6, 12, 18.

Flowering spring--fall. Sandy soil in pine-oak woods (especially longleaf pine and turkey oak) and pine barrens, often on sandhills, occasionally in thickets, old fields and roadsides; Fla., Ga., N.C., S.C., Va.

I have not been able to confirm the record of this species from Maryland in M. L. Brown and R. G. Brown (1984).

SELECTED REFERENCE

Giles, N. H. Jr. 1942. Autopolyploidy and geographical distribution in Cuthbertia graminea Small. Amer. J. Bot. 29: 637--645.