Gratiola brevifolia Raf.

Scientific Nomenclature

Gratiola brevifolia, commonly known as sticky hedgehyssop, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae.

Distribution

It is native to the Southeastern United States, where it occurs with a scattered distribution.

Habitat

Its natural habitat consists of wet acidic locations, including sandy riverbanks, sandy pinelands, and cypress swamps.

Growth Form

Gratiola brevifolia is a rhizomatous perennial plant.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves are linear-lanceolate, with a small number of coarse teeth located toward their tips.

Flower Characteristics

Its flowers have white lobes, a yellow tube marked with brown lines, and bloom from April to September.

Similar Species to Gratiola vicidula

This species is similar to Gratiola vicidula, a related plant whose range is centered further east than that of G. brevifolia.

Distinction from Gratiola vicidula

G. brevifolia can be told apart from G. vicidula by its narrower leaves and sepals.

Similar Species to Gratiola ramosa

It is also similar to Gratiola ramosa, a species that grows alongside G. brevifolia on the Southeastern Coastal Plain.

Distinction from Gratiola ramosa

G. brevifolia can be distinguished from G. ramosa by the consistent presence of 1 to 2 bracts that grow just below its sepals.