Small Bluets (Houstonia pusilla)

Tiny bluet, Small Bluets, Star violet

Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

The Star Violet has purple-blue flowers 1/4–1/3 inch across growing singly on the tips of fine branches. Each blossom consists of a narrow tube crowned by 4 lobes which spread sharply at right angles. The plant grows 4–6 inches tall with several branches. Though very small, star violets sometimes color a field blue. The opposite leaves are not more than 1/2 inch long, with the flower stem growing out of the leaf axil.

Photographic Location: Sycamore Ridge Ranch in Middle Tennessee.