Eastern Milkpea

Galactia regularis

Native to:
Cuba, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Galactia
Species:
Galactia regularis
USDA Symbol:
GARE2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Vine
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
pink, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Io moth (Automeris io), Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rootstock after fire; commonly found in fire-maintained pine savannas and sandhills.

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
Notes:
Common in open woods and sandy areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat recommended; may benefit from inoculation with appropriate Rhizobium.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI