West Indian Milkpea
Galactia dubia
- Native to:
- Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Galápagos, Haiti, Leeward Is., Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Turks-Caicos Is., United States, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © eleanorgibney (iNaturalist #210406307)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Galactia
- Species:
- Galactia dubia
- USDA Symbol:
- GADU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,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
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire. Common in fire-maintained sandhills and pine flatwoods.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Seeds may benefit from inoculation with appropriate rhizobia.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI