Meadow Pink

Sabatia campestris T. Nuttall

Gentianaceae

Variations in the color of this flower occur. 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 (see it below in photo gallery). As Dr. Brown is fond of saying when asked about these anamolies, plants are like people - some have blonde hair, some brown.

Note: Compare the first and second pictures below in the photo gallery. 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.

Part used - whole plant
Preparation - infusion (tea)
Actions - tonic and antiperiodic

It is likely that Meadow Pink contains erythrocentaurin as does the closely related Quinine Flower (Sabatia elliottii), which as its name suggests, has properties resembling quinine.

Behind the Name :

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

Definitions:

Sabatia -

This genus commemorates Liberatus Sabbati, an 18th century Italian botanist. (The genus used to be spelled with two "b"s.)

campestris -

Found in open plains or on other such level ground; of the fields

Tags :

native Texas wildflower, Texas native wildflower, Texas native plant, annual, herb, opposite leaves, Spring flowers, Summer flowers, Fall flowers, large flowers, pink flowers, rose flowers, white flowers, full sun, propagate by seed, self seeding, self-seeding, garden worthy, Texas Star, prairies, plains, pastures, woodland openings, roadsides, savannahs, grasslands, meadows, streamsides, fields, sand dunes, coastal, colony forming

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: species account
• USDA PLANTS Database: plant profile