Small plant to about a foot and a half tall, widely branching. Leaves very long and narrow, opposite each other. Flowers tiny, with four flaring petals, pale violet.

Charming little native of dry woods and rocky places. Common in Wildwood along the Grand Staircase.

Long-leaved houstonia (H. longifolia) has leaves that are not quite as long (go figure!), is less branched, and ususally has extra small leaves at the bases of the main leaves. It could exisit in the Park. Bluets, (H. caerulea) have blue flowers and tiny, oval leaves on the stem. It has been reported from the Park, but not seen recently.