Alabama pinkroot

Spigelia gentianoides Chapman ex A. de Candolle var. alabamensis K. Gould, Sida 17: 418, fig. 1. 1996

Herbs perennial, 25–40 cm; rhi­zomes slender. Stems 1–3, rarely branched or branched near base. Cauline leaves: proximals 3–6 pairs per stem, sessile, blade usually lanceolate to elliptic, rarely narrowly ovate, ovate, or obovate, 2–4 × 1–2 cm, base cuneate to rounded; distals opposite. Cymes 2–4(–6)-flowered. Flowers: calyx lobes lanceolate, 8–11 mm; corolla light pink outside, sometimes with 2 dark pink lines on each lobe, light pink to white inside, broadly funnelform, 36–50 mm, lobes spreading to reflexed at anthesis. Capsules 5–6 × 8 mm, smooth. Seeds 3 mm.

Flowering May–Jun. Dolomite outcroppings; of con­servation concern; 70–80 m; Ala.

Spigelia alabamensis was formerly classified as a dis­junct variety of S. gentianoides, from which it can be distinguished by its mainly lanceolate to elliptic (versus ovate) leaves and by its longer calyx and corollas, with corolla lobes that reflex at anthesis. Spigelia alabamensis is endemic from 17 dolomite glades, known as the Ketona Glades, in Bibb County.