The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Deer-grass

DEER-GRASS (Rhexia virginica), one of the American representatives of the large family of plants called Melastomaceæ, meadow-beauty family, of which only about 20 species are found in the United States. The deer-grass extends from Maine to Florida and west to Illinois, Missouri and Louisiana. Other species extend the habitat of the genus to Texas. The flowers are conspicuous and showy, with bright rosy purple petals, and render the meadows unusually gay when adorned with patches of this lovely plant, entitling it to the common name of the meadow-beauty,