Rod Wirelettuce
Stephanomeria virgata
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Noah Elhardt
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Stephanomeria
- Species:
- Stephanomeria virgata
- USDA Symbol:
- STVI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Scarlet Schinia (Schinia scarletina)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; common in post-fire plant communities in chaparral and sage scrub.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with no pretreatment; may benefit from light for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seed germination is stimulated by the presence of charred wood or aqueous extracts of it, resulting in an 11% increase in germination as compared to control.
Establishment: S. virgata is found within mattoral vegetation association of California.
Source: npn.rngr.net