Shrubs, evergreen, sometimes forming clumps wider than high, 0.5–2(–4) dm. Leaves alternate, sessile; blade 1-veined from base, acerose to subulate or scalelike, margins sometimes ± revolute, surfaces glabrescent or hairy, hairs usually simple, not stellate. Inflorescences solitary flowers. Pedicels present or absent; bracts present or absent Flowers chasmogamous; sepals persistent or tardily falling, 5; petals 5, usually yellow, sometimes white; stamens 8–30+; filaments distinct or bases weakly connate; carpels 3; styles 1; stigmas 1, minutely 3-toothed. Capsules 3-valved. Seeds 3–6 per capsule. x = 10.

Distribution

North America.

Discussion

Species 3 (3 in the flora).

Species of Hudsonia are wiry shrubs or shrublets with crowded, acerose to subulate, or scalelike, leaves and the aspect of diminutive gymnosperms or overgrown mosses; they sometimes form relatively extensive stands.

Selected References

Morse, L. E. 1979. Systematics and Ecological Biogeography of the Genus Hudsonia (Cistaceae), the Sand Heaths. Ph.D. dissertation. Harvard University.

Skog, J. E. and N. H. Nickerson. 1972. Variation and speciation in the genus Hudsonia. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 59: 454–464.

Lower Taxa

Hudsonia ericoides, Hudsonia montana, Hudsonia tomentosa

Key

1	Leaf blades mostly lanceolate-ovate, (scalelike), 1–2(–3+) mm; leaves usually appressed (to stems); pedicels 0–1(–5) mm; ovaries glabrous or glabrescent.	Hudsonia tomentosa
1	Leaf blades acerose to subulate, 2–7 mm; leaves weakly spreading; pedicels mostly 4–10(–16) mm; ovaries usually hairy	> 2
2	Sepal apices acute to acuminate; ovaries proximally glabrous or glabrescent, distally hairy.	Hudsonia ericoides
2	Sepal apices acuminate to attenuate; ovaries hairy ± throughout.	Hudsonia montana