Flora of North America species comparison

The range of Sabatia stellaris extends to higher elevations in Mexico.

Sabatia stellaris is known only historically from Massachusetts; although there is at least one correctly identified specimen, some reports from that state were based on misidentified specimens of S. angularis and perhaps S. campanulata (studies for this flora). Specimens from Pennsylvania have been reidentified in studies for this flora as S. campanulata. The basis for an old, undocumented report of S. stellaris from Maine is unknown.

Specimens of Sabatia campanulata and S. stellaris are difficult to distinguish if lacking the basal parts, and misidentifications have led some botanists to consider these species as not distinguishable. The mid-stem leaves of S. campanulata, below the first branching, are usually narrowly oblong to oblong-lanceolate, widest near or proximal to the middle, and rounded at the base; those of S. stellaris, although variable in proportions, are usually widest distal to the middle and cuneate at the base. The calyces of S. campanulata are usually more than 0.8 times as long as and often longer than the corollas; those of S. stellaris are usually about 0.75 times as long as the corollas, but both species occasionally deviate from these proportions. The corolla lobes of S. stellaris are usually obovate and less than twice as long as wide. The two style branches (including the stigmas) of S. campanulata are slightly longer than the uncleft style below them; those of S. stellaris are much longer than the very short uncleft portion. In S. campanulata, the ultimate lateral (later-flowering) branches of the inflorescence usually bear a pair of bracts below a solitary true pedicel; in S. stellaris, the ultimate lateral branching usually, but not invariably, gives rise directly to true pedicels without bracts.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Sabatia kennedyana is endemic to a few disjunct localities all near the Atlantic coast, although the habitats are nonsaline. Occurrences in Virginia may be derived from introductions.

Prior to its recognition in 1916, this taxon was included in Sabatia dodecandra (usually as S. chloroides). According to R. L. Wilbur (1955), S. kennedyana is best distinguished from S. dodecandra and S. foliosa by the combination of stems almost completely devoid of ridges; leaves thin, smooth, and brittle when dried; primary branching generally opposite in well-developed specimens; terminal flowers generally much overtopped by the first internode of the lateral branches; calyx tube wide, thin, not ribbed; calyx lobes linear-subulate, less than 0.8 mm wide (0.8+ mm wide in S. dodecandra and S. foliosa), hyaline-margined, thin and flat in cross section; and corolla lobes spatulate-obovate, that is, widest near the apex. Sabatia kennedyana further differs from S. dodecandra in the much greater frequency and size of its stolon-borne rosettes.

Although habitat destruction, including drainage, eutrophication, and other disturbances of the coastal-plain ponds constitute much of the basis for conservation concern, the picking of Sabatia kennedyana for bouquets is also significant. Because of the similarity of the generic name to Sabbath, this species has traditionally been used for decorating churches in some localities. In picking, the crowns and stolons are readily even if unintentionally ripped out of their oozy substrate. The life history of this species as related to conservation concerns was discussed by L. C. Orrell Ellison (2006).

There is a record of a hybrid of Sabatia kennedyana with S. campanulata.

Sabatia kennedyana is in the Center for Plant Conservation’s National Collection of Endangered Plants.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)