Forest Scurfpea
Rupertia physodes
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
ALAN SCHMIERER (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Rupertia
- Species:
- Rupertia physodes
- USDA Symbol:
- RUPH3
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:
- yellow, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix posticella, Agonopterix psoraliella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from deep tuberous roots following fire; adapted to fire-prone chaparral and woodland habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Scarification improves germination of hard-coated legume seeds. Cold stratification after scarification is beneficial.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: This plant is generally distributed in California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Western Canada.
Source: npn.rngr.net