Leafless Swallow-Wort
Orthosia scoparia
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, United States
Andrés González
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Orthosia
- Species:
- Orthosia scoparia
- USDA Symbol:
- CYSC5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green, brown
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Faithful Beauty (Composia fidelissima)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Common in fire-maintained wetland margins.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid regions, prefers open, rocky areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in moist, cool conditions. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI