Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Baptisia

Species:

Baptisia × variicolor

USDA Symbol:

BAVA5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

120 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may,jun

Bloom Colors:

purple, yellow, cream, bicolor

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

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

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fall Color:

black pods

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Deep taproot allows plant to resprout vigorously after fire. Adapted to prairie and savanna fire regimes with periodic burns.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

well-drained, sandy or loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to open woodlands and prairies

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Hard seed coat requires scarification (hot water soak or mechanical scarification) followed by cold stratification. Seed germination can be erratic even with treatment.