Explore Plants
Native Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Vick, Albert F. W.
Rhexia virginica L.
Meadow beauty, Handsome Harry
Melastomataceae (Melastome Family)
USDA Symbol: rhvi
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Handsome-Harry or meadow-beauty is a 2 ft., (occasionally 3 ft.), hairy perennial with bright-green, thickened oval leaves and showy flowers in loose, nearly terminal clusters. Flowers are rose-pink to pale pink, with 4 petals almost as broad as long on a sturdy 4-sided, slightly winged stem. Surrounding a yellow pistil and ring of 8 stamens are four purplish-red petals which frequently fall off by early afternoon.
Members of this genus have a distinctive urn-shaped fruit that Thoreau once compared to a little cream pitcher. Although the family is mostly tropical, we have at least 10 native species. Awn-petalled Meadow Beauty (R. aristosa) is similar but has very narrow, 3- ribbed, unstalked leaves and sharp-pointed petals. It is found in pine barrens from New Jersey southward. Maryland Meadow Beauty (R. mariana) has 4 lop-sided, pink to white petals and is found in sandy swamps from Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Kentucky and Texas.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NS , ON
Native Distribution: N.S. to NY & WI, s. to n. FL & TX
Native Habitat: Wetlands; wet meadows; seepage slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Wet peat or sandy, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Use Wildlife: The flowers of meadow beauty attract bees. Deer browse the plant.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Seed Collection: The fruit turns from green to copper, dry out and become brittle when the seeds are mature. Store the cleaned seeds in a sealed, refrigerated container.Seed Treatment: Stratify 2-3 months at 40 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-MLE-21 Collected 2010-07-24 in Hardin County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1985 VOL. 2, NO.3 - Greenhouse Assists Research, Wild color on the Hills, Director's Report, Clearin...
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Rhexia virginica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Rhexia virginica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhexia virginica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-08-27Research By: TWC Staff
