Common name(s): Tiny bluet
| Wildflower Information for Houstonia pusilla | |
|---|---|
| Common name(s) | Tiny bluet |
| Flowers | color: purple petals: four |
| Leaves | basal |
| Peak bloom period | mid-March to mid-April |
| Origin | native |
| Similar species | Where to see it |
| Notes | |
Houstonia pusilla
This is amazing! I just saw this species for the first time in Fairfax County on a walk with some VNPS and Fairfax County natural resources staff near the Confederate Fortifications site near Bull Run, south of 29. Nelson DeBarros was with us, and when I pointed out the tiny bluets he identified them as H. pusilla. I was aware of the species and even had an old image from the Digital Atlas of the Flora of VA, showing them native to southeastern VA counties but not Northern Virginia. Now I see them marked in the Fairfax County on the VA map.
The ones pictured were photographed at Lake Fairfax Park. The bluets were growing all over the gravel parking lot. I literally stepped out of my car, looked down, and there they were.