| Author | (Muhlenburg ex Nuttall) Nuttall | |
| Distribution | Known only from the Sandhills region, one old record from Harnett County, and a more recent record(s) from Hoke County.
This is mostly a Sandhills region species, from southern NC southward into northern FL, and rarely to central FL. It is known only from NC, SC, GA, and FL. | |
| Abundance | Very rare in the Sandhills region, probably barely hanging on in the state, as it is an obvious plant and a species not likely to be overlooked, in a region that has been quite heavily surveyed over the years. It is a State Endangered species. The NCNHP moved the State Rank from S1 to SH in late 2022, with their database indicating the last sighting was in 1998, despite some recent survey efforts. | |
| Habitat | This is a species of xeric Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) stands, farther south in sand barrens but in NC in pine/scrub oak sandhills. Almost certainly, it requires frequent prescribed fire for its continued existence in the state. |
| Phenology | Blooms from July to September, and fruits from August to September. | |
| Identification | This is a smooth and slender species, growing to 1-2 feet tall, with branching in the upper portions. It has scattered, alternate leaves, generally ascending, oblanceolate, entire, tapered to the base, and about 1-1.5 inches long. At the end of each branch is a terminal flower cluster, dense and head-like, about 2/3-inch across, with numerous pink to whitish flowers with 4 petals that have slender bases and flaring apices. Quite obvious and attractive are the very slender and down-curved siliques, each averaging about 2 inches long, often spreading outward from the center of the cluster in a symmetrical manner. Sadly, this attractive and unique (in the Carolinas) species is very hard to find in NC, and you likely will have to stumble onto in in SC or GA. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | None
| |
| Other Common Name(s) | None | |
| State Rank | SH | |
| Global Rank | G3 | |
| State Status | E | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | | |
| USACE-emp | | |
