Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Ericaceae

Genus:

Gaylussacia

Species:

Gaylussacia baccata

USDA Symbol:

GABA

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

100 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

may,jun

Bloom Colors:

white, pink

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals, bees

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fall Color:

red, orange, purple

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Often increases in cover post-burn in pine barrens and oak-heath communities.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

4.0 - 5.5 (strongly acidic to acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

prefers open, sunny locations in native habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–90 days

Notes:

Seeds require cold stratification and acidic conditions. Germination can be erratic and slow.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI