Least Snoutbean
Rhynchosia minima
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Is., Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Galápagos, Ghana, Guatemala, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kenya, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Navassa Island, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rodrigues, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Southwest Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad-T
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Rhynchosia
- Species:
- Rhynchosia minima
- USDA Symbol:
- RHMI4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub , Vine
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Exelastis cervinicolor, Chioides catillus, Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Caloptilia violacella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire; typical of many legumes in fire-prone grassland and savanna habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in disturbed areas and grasslands
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. Seeds may benefit from hot water treatment or mechanical scarification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI