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Native Plant Society of Texas

Meadow Pink

Sabatia campestris

Other common name(s):

Texas Star, Rose Gentian, Prairie Rose-gentian, Prairie Sabatia

Family:

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Dry, Loam, Moist, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium, High

Native Habitat

Grassland, Riparian, Woodland Edge

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Meadow pink usually forms large colonies by readily self-seeding. Can be mowed. Best with summer water when blooming. Native habitat: sandy prairies, cedar-oak flats, woodland edges, stream banks, and it can tolerate varying moisture regimes from wet to dry.

Description

Blooms April-September. Low-growing, clumping form. The showy, star shaped, flowers occur at ends of branches and on long axillary stalks. Narrow leaves clasp the stem. Guards against self pollination by covering stigmatic surface until its own pollen is gone, then opens for cross pollination. The fruit is a single-chambered, many seeded capsule.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow the seeds in well-draining soil in the spring after the last frost. Lightly rake the surface to loosen it and create small indentations or “dibbles” where you will place the seeds. Sprinkle the tiny seeds into the dibbles, covering them lightly with about 1/4 inch of soil. Gently firm the soil around the seeds to ensure good contact. Water the seeds gently and ensure the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination can take 2 to 4 weeks. Collect mature seed heads from the plant and allow them to dry out completely. Once dry, remove the seeds from the seed heads. 1) https://earthone.io/plant/sabatia%20campestris 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-sabatia-campestris/ 3) https://plantiary.com/plant/sabatia-campestris_20748.html
Clump Division Plant the divisions in prepared beds, ensuring they are spaced appropriately and water well to encourage root development. Division is best attempted in the spring or fall when the plant is dormant. Carefully dig up the entire plant and gently separate it into several smaller divisions, each with their own roots and foliage. A sharp knife or garden shears may be used to cut the root ball into separate sections. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-sabatia-campestris/ 2) https://plantiary.com/plant/sabatia-campestris_20748.html
Seed No Treatment Fill a flat or tray to about an inch deep with seed starting mix. The substrate should be moist but not waterlogged to facilitate ideal germination conditions for Meadow Pink. Evenly distribute the seeds across the surface of the starting mix and lightly press the seeds into the soil. Place the seed tray in bright, indirect light. Keep the temperature around 68-72°F. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist by misting with water. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Sabatia_campestris.html
Seed Scarification It's important to scarify the seeds to ensure proper germination. To do this, the seeds should be rubbed with sandpaper or nicked with a knife before planting. Seeds can be planted directly in the ground in a well-draining soil and should be kept moist until they germinate. Alternatively, seeds can be started inside in pots and transplanted outside after the last frost. Small, brown seeds should be collected in the fall after the plant has finished flowering, then stored in a cool, dry place until spring. https://www.botanikks.com/plants/sabatia-campestris/586872/1
Stem Cutting Remove the lower leaves and any flower buds from the cutting. Root in a container filled with a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist and provide the cutting with bright, indirect light. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted outside. The best time to take cuttings is in the spring or early summer. Select a healthy stem and make a clean cut with a sharp knife just below a node. https://www.botanikks.com/plants/sabatia-campestris/586872/1

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason