pine barren frostweed, Crocanthemum corymbosum

Frostweeds get that name because they are among genera that get globs and spikes of frost projecting from their stems in freezing weather. But pine barren frostweed with its southern range may get little opportunity to show off its frost. These plants were included in the Old World genus Helianthemum during the 19th and 20th centuries. But Edoudrd Spach named them Crocanthemum in 1836. We now know they are more closely related to New World genera and the original Crocanthemum name has been resurrected from wherever Spach's work was preserved. Most Crocanthemum species have petaliferous flowers and other self-pollinating flowers that appear in different seasons. Pine barren is unique in the genus with both flower types at the same time. Pine barren frostweed grows in AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, and SC. Polk CO FL, 3/17/16. Rockrose family, Cistaceae.