Pinweeds, Frostweeds and Allies
What are they?
The Pinweeds, Frostweeds and Hudsonias are all members of the Rockrose family, though they vary considerably in overall appearance. The Hudsonias are fabulously showy during their rather short flowering period and are typical of the family. The Pinweeds, on the other hand, are rather nondescript and easily overlooked.
Where are they found?
Most species favor open, sunny locations on dry, sandy soils. Pinweeds are common along powerline cuts and track sides, while the Hudsonias are a little more specialized.
Identification
The Hudsonias are flamboyant in flower and easily told apart by their foliage (and distribution). Pinweeds are more difficult, requiring a combination of leaf shape and stem hairiness, both of which can be variable. Frostweeds strangely flower twice during the year; the first flowers have large, colored petals, the second flowering period produces petalless flowers.
Low Frostweed Crocanthemum propinquum
Can be found in small colonies in dry, sandy soil in the north of the county. Flowers mid May to June. The frostweeds can be tough to tell apart, but this species usually has two to ten flowers on a stem and the leaves tend to be a little broader than those of other frostweeds.
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Long-branched Frostweed Crocanthemum canadense
Can be found in small colonies in dry, sandy soil in the north of the county. Flowers mid May to June. The frostweeds can be tough to tell apart, but this species usually has just one to two flowers on a stem and the leaves tend to be a little narrower than those of other frostweeds (see left hand leaf in picture above) and with a few, scattered, long hairs on the upper surface.
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Heath-like Hudsonia Hudsonia ericoides
(Pine Barren Goldenheather) A Pine Barrens specialist, this species is often listed in books as being absent from Cape May County, but it can be found in the far north of the county, in dry, sandy soil. Flowers late May to June.
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Woolly Hudsonia Hudsonia tomentosa
(Woolly Beachheather) Found on dry sandy dunes aong the coast, where it can sometimes form quite extensive colonies which are very showy when in flower. Flowers late May to June.
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Hairy Pinweed Lechea mucronata
Frequent in dry, gravelly or sandy soils. Flowers June to August. Note the long, silky hairs which are not flattened against the stem.
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silky hairs |
Beach Pinweed Lechea maritima
Common on coastal sands along the back of beaches and in dunes. Flowers August to September. The thick, white hairs, pressed close to the stem, give the whole plant a pale, whitish look.
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Leggett's Pinweed Lechea pulchella
Widespread in dry, sandy places, especially old fields, roadsides and powerline cuts. Flowers June to August. A very slender, graceful species.
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flattened |