Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Melastomataceae

Genus:

Rhexia

Species:

Rhexia alifanus

USDA Symbol:

RHAL4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul,aug,sep

Bloom Colors:

pink, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from rhizomes after fire; historically associated with fire-maintained pine savannas and wet flatwoods.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers open, sunny areas in wetland margins

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI