Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Chamaecrista

Species:

Chamaecrista portoricensis

USDA Symbol:

CHPO8

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

100 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

As a member of Fabaceae in dry tropical and subtropical habitats, it can resprout after fire disturbance.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

well-drained, sandy to loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to coastal and dry forest regions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

7–21 days

Notes:

Hard seed coat requires scarification (mechanical or hot water treatment) for best germination. Legume nodulation benefits from native soil inoculation.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI