Stylisma humistrata (Walt.) Chapm. - Southern Dawnflower
Family - Convolvulaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
N/A
Flowers:
Calyx.
Fruit.
Flowering - June - September.
Habitat - Sandhills, dry hammocks, roadsides, waste ground.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This species can be found scattered throughout much of Alabama. The plant can be identified by its pubescent stems, white flowers, 2-parted styles, glabrous sepals, and oblong-elliptic leaves. In waste areas the plant can be abundant. The white flowers close quickly when hit by hot, direct sun.
The genus name Stylisma derives from the Greek "styl" meaning "a pillar, stake, column" and "is" meaning "equal" referring to the two-parted style of the flowers.
The species epithet humistrata derives from the Latin "humi" meaning "ground, earth" and "strat" meaning "a covering, layer" referring to the plants growing habit.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Lee Rd 10, Lee County, AL., 8-27-04.