Violet Milkwort
Asemeia violacea
- Native to:
- Aruba, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © jano_v (iNaturalist #266308775)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygalaceae
- Genus:
- Asemeia
- Species:
- Asemeia violacea
- USDA Symbol:
- POVI10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, pink, magenta
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, small insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots after fire disturbance. Common in fire-maintained pine savanna and sandhill ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy, open areas; avoid waterlogged conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from light during germination. Surface sow or barely cover with soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI