| Author | (Michaux) Torrey & A. Gray | |
| Distribution | Coastal Plain (especially in the Sandhills) and lowermost Piedmont. Occurs on Roanoke Island (Dare County) and Harkers Island (Carteret County), but not on the Outer Banks proper.
Coastal Plain, from southeastern VA to eastern GA. | |
| Abundance | Common to often very common in the Sandhills, and common (at least locally) farther eastward where Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) stands are present. Fairly common in the central and northern Coastal Plain, but very rare in the northeastern portions and the extreme eastern edge of the Piedmont. Perhaps because NatureServe has a Global Rank of just G4 owing to a rather small range, the NCNHP has also given a State Rank of S4. However, the species is certainly worthy of a State Rank of S5, and that "requires" a Global Rank of G5, based on the website editors' experience. | |
| Habitat | Xeric to dry Longleaf Pine-oak-Wiregrass uplands, sandhills, oak scrub, and bay rims. | |
| Phenology | Flowering and fruiting late August - early November. Provides late season nectar for many butterflies and other insects. | |
| Identification | This is one of the characteristic plants of xeric and dry Longleaf Pine lands. Plants grow 1-2 feet tall from a cluster or a rosette of basal leaves, the blades broadly lance-shaped or elliptical, the ends broadest, and each blade tapers to a long stalk. These leaves look remarkably like those of Chamaelirium luteum. The stems are erect, with a few small leaves, topped by a loose, multi-layered inflorescence. All flowers lack rays, are pink to rose-purple, with long styles sticking out. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | None
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| Other Common Name(s) | This plant had gone decades with essentially no common name, or none in regular usage. Sandhill Chaffhead is a second name. | |
| State Rank | S4 [S5] | |
| Global Rank | G4 [G5] | |
| State Status | | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | | |
| USACE-emp | | |
