Hexastylis virginica

Rhizomes: internodes short, leaves crowded at rhizome apex. Leaf blade variegate or not, cordate, subcordate, or subreniform. Flowers: calyx tube cylindric to narrowly cylindric-urceolate, sometimes with prominent transverse ridge just below sinuses, 8-15 × 6-12 mm, inner surface with high reticulations, lobes erect or weakly spreading, 2-4 × 7-9 mm, adaxially puberulent; stamen connective not extending beyond pollen sacs; ovary ca. 1/3-inferior; ovules 8 per locule; styles notched at apex. 2n = 26.

Phenology: Flowering spring (Apr–Jun).
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed deciduous-conifer forests
Elevation: 0-700 m

Ky., Md., N.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.

Discussion

Plants of Hexastylis virginica with small, cylindric-urceolate calices have been treated as a distinct species, H. memmingeri. The two calyx types are often found in the same population, however, so H. memmingeri seems unworthy of taxonomic recognition at any rank.

Prior to the study by H. L. Blomquist (1957), many botanists interpreted Hexastylis virginica in a very broad sense, so old herbarium specimens of many other species of Hexastylis are often annotated as H. virginica.

The Cherokee used Hexastylis virginica medicinally to stop blood from passing (D. E. Moerman 1986, as Asarum virginicum).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa