Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Chamaecrista

Species:

Chamaecrista rotundifolia

USDA Symbol:

CHRO3

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:

yellow

Ground Cover:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, butterflies, bees

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from root crown after fire and readily reseeds in disturbed, burned areas. Common in fire-maintained sandhill and pine savanna communities.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

5.0 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to open, disturbed areas; tolerates poor soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

7–21 days

Notes:

Scarification of hard seed coat greatly improves germination. Hot water treatment or mechanical scarification recommended.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI