Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Barkworthia

Species:

Barkworthia stillmanii

USDA Symbol:

ACST7

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

30 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

purple, pink

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

native bees, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Serpentine grassland species that persists through fire cycles. Resprouts from basal crown after fire disturbance.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

well-drained, sandy loam soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to arid regions, prefers low fertility

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate best with cold-moist stratification followed by warm temperatures. Surface sow or lightly cover as seeds need some light.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI