Dr. Hill,
This flower (about the diameter of a quarter), each with four pale pink petals, stems covered with fine prickles, was growing on 2 July in the Fall Line region on a back country road. The edges of the small, narrow leaves also have fine “hairs”. The photo was taken in the early morning when still shaded, but the flowers would have been exposed to full sun for most of the day. The spent flowers seem to be forming something similar to rose hips. Thank you.
Diane
Hi Diane,
your plant is a Meadow Beauty, Rhexia mariana. It is in the family Melastomataceae, a mostly tropical family. This species is wide-ranging and fairly common, usually in moist level sands. They often lose their petals by late in the day.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Steven Hill, Botanist, SCNPS