Wand Blackroot
Pterocaulon virgatum
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands
Andrés González (www.wikidata.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Pterocaulon
- Species:
- Pterocaulon virgatum
- USDA Symbol:
- PTVI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Eublemma minima
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Occurs in fire-maintained pine flatwoods and wet prairies; resprouts from rootstock following fire.
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:
- Commonly found in open, sandy areas