Seaside Bird's-Foot Trefoil

Hosackia gracilis

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Hosackia
Species:
Hosackia gracilis
USDA Symbol:
LOFO2

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
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies

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:
native to coastal scrub and chaparral regions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy.

Pre-treatment: Seeds were sown into cone-tainers filled with Sunshine # 1 (a soil-less peat-based media) amended with micro-nutrients (Osmocote 14-14-14.) The flats of cone-tainers were covered with poly-ethylene bags and placed in a walk-in cooler for 90 days.

Source: npn.rngr.net