Devil's Potato
Echites umbellatus
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Navassa Island, Southwest Caribbean, Turks-Caicos Is., United States
iNaturalist: © riki_in_the_wild (iNaturalist #169167226)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Echites
- Species:
- Echites umbellatus
- USDA Symbol:
- ECUM2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- white, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Faithful Beauty (Composia fidelissima), Pachylioides resumens, Polka-dot Wasp Moth (Syntomeida epilais)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal regions, prefers sandy substrates