Starrush Whitetop
Rhynchospora colorata
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Turks-Caicos Is., United States, Windward Is.
Bobyellow
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Rhynchospora
- Species:
- Rhynchospora colorata
- USDA Symbol:
- RHCO7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes following fire. Common in fire-maintained wet pine savannas and flatwoods.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in wetlands and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in consistently wet conditions with warm temperatures. Light may enhance germination.