Rhexia mariana

Rhexia mariana View in CoL L. var. mariana (Maryland Meadowbeauty) in Ohio Primary author: Iris Copen

Rhexia mariana View in CoL L. var. mariana View in CoL (Maryland Meadowbeauty), in the family Melastomataceae View in CoL , is a native herbaceous forb of Eastern North America reaching upwards of 8 dm in height. The species spreads by rhizome-like roots that create dense clonal colonies. During anthesis, the flowers have a bright corolla consisting of four pink petals surrounding a cluster of sharp-angled yellow falcate anthers and a single exerted pistil from an urn-shaped hypanthium. The stems are covered in bristle-like hairs and are rectangular in cross-section. The cross-sections have two long sides and two shorter sides that alternate at each pair of leaves ( Nesom 2021) ( Fig. 14). This species usually prefers open wetlands in sandy situations in areas that are often dominated by grasses and sedges ( Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2023). Rhexia mariana var. mariana View in CoL is widespread in Eastern North America, occurring from coastal Massachusetts to southern Florida, west to Texas, and north up the Mississippi, then deviating toward the Ohio River Valley, becoming scarcer farther from the Atlantic Coast, with a northern disjunct along Lake Michigan’s eastern drainage basin. The species is rare in the states of Indiana (S1), Michigan (S1), Pennsylvania (S1), and West Virginia (S1), but comparatively more common in Kentucky (S5) (Kartesz/BONAP, 2024) ( Fig. 15 View FIG ).

Maryland Meadowbeauty was first discovered in Ohio in Lawrence County on August 23, 2023. This county is at the southernmost point within the state and is separated from Kentucky by the Ohio River. The location of the Rhexia View in CoL population is 6.7 miles from the Kentucky border and approximately 40 miles north of the nearest known population. It is located along a UTV trail in the Wayne National Forest under a small Virginia Pine ( Pinus virginiana Mill. View in CoL ), in a small sandy clearing adjacent to an abandoned coal mining depression pond. A sampling of associated species occurring in the immediate vicinity of the Rhexia View in CoL includes Sphagnum fallax (H. Klinggr.) H. Klinggr. View in CoL , Diphasiastrum digitatum (Dill. ex A. Braun) Holub View in CoL , Lorinseria areolata View in CoL (L.) C. Presl, Pinus virginiana Mill View in CoL , Alisma subcordatum Raf. View in CoL , Sagittaria australis (J.G. Sm.) Small View in CoL , Sagittaria latifolia Willd var. latifolia View in CoL , Sagittaria calycina Engelm. View in CoL , Sparganium americanum Nutt. View in CoL , Scirpus cyperinus View in CoL (L.) Kunth, Eleocharis acicularis View in CoL (L.) Roem. & Schult., Eleocharis obtusa (Willd.) Schult. View in CoL , Rhynchospora capitellata (Michx.) Vahl View in CoL , Schoenoplectiella purshiana (Fernald) Lye var. purshiana View in CoL , Juncus acuminatus Michx View in CoL , Coleataenia anceps (Michx.) Soreng ssp. anceps View in CoL , Kellochloa verrucosa (Muhl.) Lizarazu et al. View in CoL , Leersia oryzoides View in CoL (L.) Sw., Rhexia virginica View in CoL L., Betula nigra View in CoL L., Acer saccharum Marshall var. saccharum View in CoL , Oxydendrum arboreum View in CoL (L.)DC., Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd. View in CoL , Eupatorium pilosum Walter View in CoL , Eupatorium serotinum Michx. View in CoL , Euthamia lanceolata View in CoL (L.)Nesom, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium View in CoL (L.)Hillard&B.L.Burtt, Solidago juncea Aiton View in CoL , Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Willd.) G.L. Nesom var. lanceolatum View in CoL .

Globally, Rhexia mariana var. mariana is considered a G5T5 species ( NatureServe Explorer 2024) and is common throughout its coastal range, generally becoming more sparsely distributed inland. In Ohio, the species is known from a single, small population of what may be a single clonal individual covering approximately a square meter area ( Fig. 16 View FIG ). It is sheltered by a leaning pine that protects this relictual occurrence from imminent extirpation due to All-Terrain Vehicle disturbance, which has likely claimed the rest of the population along with historic mining efforts. Despite the nearby Rhexia virginica L, no recognizable hybrids were seen in the area. The spiraled seeds of Rhexia spp. are dispersed through multiple means like wind and water, which can carry them a short distance ( Kral & Bostick 1969). Longer distance dispersal is more likely from animals like waterfowl and deer. The possibility that the species is introduced in Ohio by either hiking, mining, or vehicle activity is distinct ( Dodds 2022). Still, considering its distribution in every state around Ohio, it would appear more likely to be in the area than not. In addition, Lawrence County has several native southern species only occurring in that area for the state, i.e., Ligusticum canadense (L.) Britton, Myriopteris lanosa (Michx.) Grusz & Windham , Penstemon canescens Britton , Piptochaetium avenaceum (L.) Parodi, Solidago sphacelata Raf. , and Viola tripartita Elliott (BONAP, 2024) .

Voucher specimen: U.S.A. OHIO. Lawrence Co.: Two plants collected,Elizabeth Twp., Wayne National Forest , 23 Aug 2023, Iris Copen s.n. & Shaun Pogacnik ( OS 0392714 ) .