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Callisia graminea is often confused with:
Tradescantia
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Phlox subulata
Trillium pusillum
Verbena canadensis

Callisia graminea

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cuthbertia graminea
  • Tradescantia rosea var. graminea
Phonetic Spelling
kah-LEE-see-uh gram-IN-ee-a
Description

Grassleaf roseling is a perennial NC native wildflower in the spiderwort family (Comnellinaceae).  It is often found in the sandhills and coastal plains on sandy soil in thickets, pine barrens, disturbed sites and can be found from VA to FL. The specific epithet is Latin for "grassy" and refers to the plant's appearance. 

It is an erect to trailing plant that grows best in sandy soils in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. Grassleaf roseling grow 6 inchs to 1 foot tall 

The three-petalled rose-colored flowers appear in May to July and sometimes again in the fall and are showy despite their small size. The leaves are small and linear.

Use this plant as a ground cover, in a rock garden or drought-tolerant garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   Overwatering can cause root rot. Monitor for spider mites, aphids, and mealy bugs.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#NC native#native garden#native wildflower#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#sandy soils tolerant#Audubon#coastal plant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#NC native#native garden#native wildflower#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#sandy soils tolerant#Audubon#coastal plant#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Callisia
    Species:
    graminea
    Family:
    Commelinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE. U.S.A. Maryland to FL
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from June to August
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Rose or pink three-petaled blooms from May-July and sometimes again in fall with flowers that are showy despite their diminutive size.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are .5- to.7 inches long, linear and sessile with entire margins and parallel venation.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems have a basal sheath wrapping around them
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Rock Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil