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Description
Phemeranthus Calycinus, commonly known as Redstar, is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the family of Montiaceae. It is native to the United States and is found in the Great Plains region from Texas to South Dakota. Redstar is a low-growing succulent plant that grows up to 3-6 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide. It has narrow, succulent leaves that are blue-green in color and can turn reddish-purple in full sun. During the summer, Redstar produces bright pink flowers that bloom for a short period in the morning.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Montiaceae |
| Genus | Phemeranthus |
Appearance
Redstar has narrow, succulent leaves that are blue-green in color and can turn reddish-purple in full sun. The leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern and grow up to 2-4 inches long and 0.25 inches wide. During the summer, Redstar produces bright pink flowers that bloom for a short period in the morning. The flowers are star-shaped with five petals and grow up to 1 inch in diameter. The plant grows up to 3-6 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide, making it a great groundcover plant.
Care Guide
Redstar is a low maintenance plant that requires minimal care. It prefers well-draining soil and full sun exposure. Here are some care tips for Redstar:Water: Water Redstar once a week during the growing season and reduce water during the winter months.Fertilization: Fertilize Redstar once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.Soil: Redstar prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6-7.Sunlight: Redstar prefers full sun exposure and can tolerate partial shade.Hardiness Zones: Redstar is hardy in USDA zones 5-10.
Common Pests & Diseases
Redstar is a relatively pest and disease-free plant. However, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Here are some common pests and diseases that can affect Redstar:Root Rot: Redstar can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.Mealybugs: Mealybugs can infest Redstar and cause damage to the plant.Aphids: Aphids can infest Redstar and cause damage to the plant.
Habitat
Redstar is native to the United States and is found in the Great Plains region from Texas to South Dakota. It grows in dry, rocky, and sandy soil and can be found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Redstar a drought-tolerant plant?A: Yes, Redstar is a drought-tolerant plant that can survive in dry soil conditions.Q: Does Redstar need fertilization?A: Yes, Redstar needs fertilization once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.Q: Can Redstar tolerate partial shade?A: Yes, Redstar can tolerate partial shade, but it prefers full sun exposure.Q: What is the hardiness zone for Redstar?A: Redstar is hardy in USDA zones 5-10.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to Redstar:
- Phemeranthus Parviflorus
- Phemeranthus Teretifolius
- Phemeranthus Rugospermus
References
- “Phemeranthus Calycinus (Montiaceae) – A New Record for the Flora of Iran.” Phytotaxa, vol. 341, no. 1, 2018, pp. 97–100., doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.341.1.12.
- “Phemeranthus Calycinus.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279616.
- “Phemeranthus Calycinus.” Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:184184-2.
