Habilla

Rhynchosia reticulata

Native to:
Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
Habilla

Bailey, Frederick Manson, 1827-1915

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Rhynchosia
Species:
Rhynchosia reticulata
USDA Symbol:
RHRE3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Vine
Height:
100 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Wildlife Benefits

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

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, birds
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rootstock following fire; common 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:
prefers open, sunny locations

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 improves germination. Seeds may benefit from brief hot water treatment.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI