Callisia ornata
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 70:118. 1989.
Herbs, perennial, not or only scarcely cespitose, erect. Roots persistently densely woolly. Stems 20–50 cm. Leaves strongly ascending; basal leaf-sheaths glabrous to puberulent; blade linear, (2–) 10–25 × 0.1–0.4 cm (distal leaf-blades much narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened). Inflorescences: bracts not distinct from bracteoles, usually minute, 1–3 (–7) mm, scarious (rarely somewhat herbaceous). Flowers pedicellate; pedicels 1–1.5 cm; petals pink to rose, 9–13 mm; stamens 6; filaments bearded; ovary 3-locular. Capsules 3-locular, 3–5 mm. Seeds 1.5–2 mm.
Phenology: Flowering spring, fall.
Habitat: Coastal strand
Distribution
Oak, pine, and palmetto woods and scrub, occasionally fields or roadsides, usually in sandy soil, Fla.
Discussion
A white-flowered form has been described from central Florida as Callisia ornata forma leucantha Lakela (O. Lakela 1972), but such color forms are hardly worth taxonomic recognition.
Selected References
None.