Pencilflower
Stylosanthes scabra
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela
João Medeiros (www.flickr.com),Btcpg,Ethel Aardvark,Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org),Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org),Dinesh Valke (www.flickr.com) from Thane, India,Btcpg,Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica - INMA (en.wikipedia.org),Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org),Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org),Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org),Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Stylosanthes
- Species:
- Stylosanthes scabra
- USDA Symbol:
- STSC8
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, livestock
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout after fire; used in pasture management with fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to tropical and subtropical regions, often found in degraded soils
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (mechanical or hot water) to break physical dormancy.