Schwalbea americana

Illustrator: Yevonn Wilson-Ramsey

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Perennials blackening upon drying. Stems simple or branched from near base, 3–8 dm. Leaves: blade lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, 20–50 × 6–10 mm, gradually smaller distally, 3-nerved, surfaces densely pubescent. Pedicels ascending, 1–5 mm; bracteoles 2, linear, 6–12 mm, arising just proximal to calyx. Flowers: sepals 15–22 mm; calyx prominently 10–12-ribbed, oblique, glandular-pubescent, lobes unequal; petals suffused with purple in distal 1/2 and on veins, 22–35 mm; stamens included in adaxial lip; style included, 2–3 mm, glabrous. Capsules brown, ellipsoid to ovoid, 10–12 mm, glabrous. Seeds 2–2.5 mm, wings membranous. 2n = 36.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Aug.
Habitat: Savannas, flatwoods, ecotones of depression ponds and streamheads, moist glacial outwash plains, pine-oak woodlands, longleaf pine, other pines northward and inland.
Elevation: 0–400 m.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Ala., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Miss., N.J., N.Y., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Va.

Discussion

Schwalbea americana is among the more fire-dependent species in the flora, responding favorably to annual burns. Documented host plants include Aletris farinosa, Carphephorus odoratissimus, Gaylussacia dumosa, Ilex glabra, and Pityopsis graminifolia. It has declined greatly since the advent of widespread fire suppression and is now federally listed as endangered; extant populations occur in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Chaffseed was reported from eastern Texas by D. S. Correll and M. C. Johnston (1970); no voucher has been seen.

Schwalbea americana is in the Center for Plant Conservation’s National Collection of Endangered Plants.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.