Big Deervetch
Hosackia crassifolia
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Justin Paulin
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Hosackia
- Species:
- Hosackia crassifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- LOCR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; benefits from periodic disturbance in grassland and chaparral habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal and chaparral regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Scarification recommended due to hard seed coat. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds require scarification either by soaking in water at 95 °C for 10 seconds and then immediately placed in cold water or scarified for 3 hours in a sandpaper-lined scarifier. After scarification, seeds are placed into a 1% hydrogen peroxide soak for 24 hours, rinsed, and placed in water for an additional 24 hours. Seeds are then refrigerated at 1 to 3 °C for 90 days.
Establishment: Seeds should be checked weekly during refrigeration. If mold is evident, seeds should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide. Native range includes southwestern Washington, western Oregon, California and Baja California, Mexico at elevations up to 8000 feet.
Source: npn.rngr.net