Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Melastomataceae

Genus:

Rhexia

Species:

Rhexia mariana

USDA Symbol:

RHMA

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug,sep

Bloom Colors:

pink, white, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; historically found in fire-maintained pine savannas and wet meadows.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers open, sunny areas in wet habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Seeds are very fine and require light for germination; surface sow and keep consistently moist.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI