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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)

Sand, Loam, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Once started, will self sow and develop into large colonies of pink stars. Meadow pink usually forms large colonies by readily self-seeding. Can be mowed. Best with summer water when blooming. Propagation: seed.

Comments

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

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason