Stiff Cowbane

Oxypolis rigidior

Native to:
Canada, United States
Stiff Cowbane

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Apiaceae
Genus:
Oxypolis
Species:
Oxypolis rigidior
USDA Symbol:
OXRI

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
150 cm
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Depressaria cinereocostella

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, wasps, flies, butterflies

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold-moist stratification and germinate best with light exposure. Fresh seed germinates more reliably than stored seed.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI