Red Moneywort
Alysicarpus rugosus
- Native to:
- Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo, DR Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
iNaturalist: © justin_p (iNaturalist #254798598)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Alysicarpus
- Species:
- Alysicarpus rugosus
- USDA Symbol:
- ALRU4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in grasslands and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification or hot water treatment improves germination. Seeds have hard coat typical of Fabaceae.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI