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Native Plant Society of Texas

Indian Pink

Spigelia marilandica

Other common name(s):

Woodlan Pinkroot, Pinkroot

Family:

Loganiaceae (Pinkroot 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.

Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Flatwoods

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Moist, Sand

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Shrubland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green, Red, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Flowering can be prolonged by removing the flowers as they wither. Withstands a fair amount of a shade. Deer and rabbit resistant. Native habitat: moist woods and thickets.

Description

Blooms March-June. An erect, clump-forming plant with lance-shaped opposite leaves. Blooms from the bottom upwards. The trumpet-shaped flower is a narrow tube, yellow-green on the inside, and bright red on the outside. The fruit is a capsule.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment It is recommended that seed be sown immediately after collection to ensure high percentage germination. Blossoms open one at a time, and seed formation follows the same sequence. A piece of netting tied over green seed capsules will retain seeds as they ripen and fall out. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SPMA3 2) https://nursery-crop-extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/content/spigelia-marilandica-propagation#:~:text=J.%20C.%20Raulston%20(1990)%20stated%20%E2%80%9C,in%20a%20minimally%20heated%20greenhouse. 3) https://nursery-crop-extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/content/spigelia-marilandica-propagation#:~:text=J.%20C.%20Raulston%20(1990)%20stated%20%E2%80%9C,in%20a%20minimally%20heated%20greenhouse.
Clump Division Some, but not all, divisions will bloom the first year. Dividing in the spring when the plants are late growing and there is adequate time to spring divide. Planting in the fall allows time for root development to limit frost heaving damage. Late fall-divided plants (after fall equinox) can be containerized and placed; in a white plastic covered quonset structure or under microfoam for overwintering. It can also be divided in the spring. This plant produces a dense fibrous root system. The root system density requires cutting the plants apart with a sharp knife or pruners to separate the divisions. https://nursery-crop-extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/content/spigelia-marilandica-propagation#:~:text=J.%20C.%20Raulston%20(1990)%20stated%20%E2%80%9C,in%20a%20minimally%20heated%20greenhouse.
Stem Cutting Take tip cuttings every 8 weeks from stock plants maintained in a regulated greenhouse environment. It is recommended to grow on the rooted cuttings in the same environment to improve root development. Taking 2-3 node tip cuttings from non-flowering stems; apply 2000-3000 ppm IBA liquid; root in a well-drained medium; direct stick in small pots, root and grow in 50% shade; and overwinter in a minimally heated greenhouse. Perlite based rooting media: 2:1 perlite to spaghnum peat or 4:1 perlite to peat can be used. Tip cuttings should be taken from plants that have not flowered; the taking of cuttings keeps the plants from flowering making it possible to harvest cuttings two or three times before the plants stop growing in the fall. https://nursery-crop-extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/content/spigelia-marilandica-propagation#:~:text=J.%20C.%20Raulston%20(1990)%20stated%20%E2%80%9C,in%20a%20minimally%20heated%20greenhouse.

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