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Purpleflower Pinkroot Spigelia alabamensis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Spigelia gentianoides var. alabamensis
Phonetic Spelling
spy-GHEE-lee-ah al-a-ba-MEN-sis
Description

Alabama Indian Pink is native to Alabama. In the wild, it is only found in a handful of locations within Bibb County, Alabama.  It has been classified as endangered.  In these few locations, it will be found growing in open areas of woodlands, i.e. glades, where dolostone is present.  Dolostone is a fine-grained rock that contain the mineral dolomite, which is a type of limestone.   

The decline in the population of this plant is the result of loss of habit and by alteration of the site land.  Contributing to this decline are clear-cutting, thinning of surrounding woodlands, reduction of controlled burns, land conversion from woodlands to pine plantations, and development.  Once a thriving species in Florida, it has all but disappeared.  

Efforts to help the revival of this endangered species has been started and continues.

This plant grows in partial shade to full sun and would be a good addition to a rock garden.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#endangered#herbaceous#pest resistant#perennial flowers#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#perennial#long lived#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#endangered#herbaceous#pest resistant#perennial flowers#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#perennial#long lived#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Spigelia
    Species:
    alabamensis
    Family:
    Loganiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Rock garden
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Alabama
    Distribution:
    Alabama
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
  • 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:
    Shallow Rocky
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits have 2 round lobes that are surrounded by the dried sepals.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Under 1", the pale pink flowers sit erect at the top of the stem. Each flower has 5 lobes.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves form in pairs and sit at right angles to the next set of leaves. They do not have stalks. The lower leaves and small and rounded, while the upper leaves take on an oval to lance shape.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Each plant will have 1 to 3 erect stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Insect Pests