Rhexia mariana aka Maryland Meadowbeauty

Rhexia mariana has two common names: Maryland meadow beauty and pale meadow beauty. This low wildflower is part of the Melastomataceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial: a plant with soft stems that lives for years. Its native range spans central and eastern parts of the United States. In the Southeast, it grows in savannas, meadows, marshes, and bogs. In North Carolina, it grows on the coast and piedmont, and in the mountains. These wet native sites help explain its need for moist soil.

The green stems are square in cross section. They bear glandular hairs but have no scent. Simple green leaves grow in pairs, opposite each other. Their shapes range from elliptic to lanceolate or ovate. These terms mean oval, lance-shaped, or egg-shaped. Each leaf has three main veins. Its surface may be almost smooth or have a coat of hairs. Leaf edges may be smooth or toothed. Leaves reach about 0.25 feet [0.076 metres] long. They can reach about 0.10 feet [0.032 metres] across. They may turn maroon or burgundy in fall.

Flowers open from midsummer into fall. Bloom lasts one to two months. The flowers form clusters called cymes. Each has a shallow shape, like a saucer. Each flower spans about 0.17 feet [0.051 metres]. Four petals surround long stamens. These bear curved, bright yellow anthers. The flowers may be white, pale pink, deeper pink, or purple. Bumblebees do most of the work of pollination. The broad petals contrast with the yellow anthers. Small brown capsules follow the flowers. These seed pods have an urn shape. They appear in late summer and fall.

Grow this plant in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist soil that is slightly acid, with sand and loam. It also copes with rocky acid ground and floods that come with the seasons. Damp sandy beds suit it, as do pond or stream edges. Its listed USDA hardiness range runs from zone 6a through 9b. Listed ways to grow more plants include division and stem cuttings.

Maryland meadow beauty suits native gardens, rain gardens, and water gardens. It also fits wet meadows and naturalized areas. Its summer and fall flowers add color beside water. Bees visit the blooms, giving it value in pollinator gardens. Fall leaf color and brown seed capsules add interest beyond bloom. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases of concern. They give no evidence on edible uses or toxicity.