# Meadow Pink (*Sabatia campestris*) Meadow Pink is a lovely flower that blooms in fields and meadows. Its bright pink petals attract butterflies and bees, making it a cheerful sight in nature! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Meadow Pink](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sabatia_campestris.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sabatia_campestris.jpg) ## Appearance The Meadow Pink has striking, star-shaped flowers, usually bright pink or magenta, with a contrasting golden-yellow center. Each delicate petal has a tiny yellow-green spot at its base, creating a unique ring around the flower's heart. It grows on a slender, upright stem, making its vibrant blooms stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Gentianales - **Family:** Gentianaceae - **Genus:** Sabatia ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, it's not related to the garden 'pink' flowers, but gentians! - Its bright pink color helps it stand out from green leaves, shouting 'Look at me!' - Some say it smells like honey, inviting thirsty bees and butterflies to visit! - This plant can only grow if it gets lots of sunshine all day long! ## Special abilities - **Pollen Pathway:** The Meadow Pink has bright yellow centers that act like landing strips, guiding helpful insects directly to its pollen and nectar. - **Speedy Sprouter:** Meadow Pink can quickly grow from seed to flower in one season, allowing it to complete its life cycle before harsh weather arrives. - **Seed Scatterer:** Meadow Pink produces many tiny seeds that can be carried by wind or water, helping it spread to new sunny spots. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-45 cm - **Flower Size:** 2.5-4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Late Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen, helping the plant reproduce. - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Bumble bees are important visitors, transferring pollen between Meadow Pink flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Monarchs are attracted to its bright flowers, spreading pollen as they feed. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers, as they are homes for insects. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Meadow Pink? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Meadow Pink? 15-45 cm ### How big are the flowers on Meadow Pink? 2.5-4 cm ### When does Meadow Pink bloom? Late Spring to Late Summer ### Is Meadow Pink edible? No ### Is Meadow Pink toxic? None ### What is Meadow Pink's lifecycle? Annual ### How is Meadow Pink pollinated? Insect ## Where to spot - [Bastrop State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bastrop-state-park) — Texas, US · State Park - [George Bush Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/george-bush-park) — Texas, US · Park ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Meadow Pink: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/meadow-pink)