Delicate North American & Mexican evergreen perennials, preferring some light shade, but in an open position and due to their diminutive stature, they are unable to take direct overhead competition. Named after a 17th century Scottish botanist, William Houstoun. He collected plants from the Americas, some of which went back to Chelsea Physic Garden.
The small flowers of Houstonia species are visited by small bees, flies and sometimes butterflies.