houstonia

American  

[hoo-stoh-nee-uh] / huˈstoʊ ni ə /

noun

1. any North American plant, belonging to the genus Houstonia, of the madder family, especially H. caerulea, the common bluet.

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houstonia British  

/ huːˈstəʊnɪə /

noun

1. any small North American rubiaceous plant of the genus Houstonia, having blue, white, or purple flowers

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Etymology

Origin of houstonia

1755–65; < New Latin, named after Dr. W. Houston (died 1733), British botanist; see -ia

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

houstonia

By this time the hepatica, anemone saxifrage, arbutus, houstonia, and bloodroot may be counted on.

From Wake-Robin by John Burroughs

Probably the round-leaved houstonia grew here, as it did everywhere, in small scattered patches.

From A Florida Sketch-Book by Bradford Torrey

In another locality I might have brought him dwarf cornel, or the houstonia, or wood-sorrel, or the evening-primrose.

From Under the Maples by John Burroughs

It is a perfect flower with its petals, like the houstonia or anemone.

From A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers by Henry David Thoreau

At my feet are blue violets and white houstonia.

From A Florida Sketch-Book by Bradford Torrey