Hall's California Tea

Rupertia hallii

Native to:
United States
Hall's California Tea

Source: Wikimedia; Credit: Weaver, John E. (John Ernest), 1884-1966

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Rupertia
Species:
Rupertia hallii
USDA Symbol:
RUHA5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
purple, violet

Wildlife Benefits

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

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from deep taproot following fire. Adapted to fire-prone chaparral and woodland habitats.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to open, rocky slopes and hillsides

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Cold stratification beneficial for breaking dormancy.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI