Meadow Pink

(Sabatia campestris)

Gentianaceae

Variations in the color of this flower occur, much like that of the Scarlet Pimpernel. The colors of Meadow Pink can range from the "normal" pink you see to the left, to pale pink, to white. Dave even discovered a flower at Nash Prairie that had one petal that was partially white with the rest of the petals being pink. As Dr. Brown is fond of saying when asked about these anamolies, plants are like people - some have blonde hair, some brown.

Also commonly known as Prairie Rose Gentian, Texas-Star, and Rose-Pink.

Note: Compare the first and second pictures below. These show two stages in the development of the Meadow Pink's proterandry flower. (The anthers of proterandry flowers release pollen before the stigma is receptive, thus ensuring cross-pollination.) The first picture shows the immature stigma and the second shows the mature stigma.