Nightlight
Auria umbratile
Lunaraceae (the Moon family)
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Description
A creeping groundcover spreading by underground rhizomes. Needle-like foliage arranged in spirals along the stem.
Bell-shaped flowers hang in nodding racemes, colored deep violet. Blooms at the summer solstice.
Habitat
Thrives in coastal dunes and salt-spray zones.
Traditional Uses
The sap was used to make a temporary ink that fades over weeks.
Folklore
Folk wisdom holds that it should never be brought indoors.
Similar Species
Often mistaken for Shadowbreath.
Conservation
Not evaluated - may not actually exist.
Field Notes
May be overlooked due to its unassuming appearance.