Bastard Toadflax
Comandra umbellata
- Native to:
- Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, Greece, Labrador, Mexico, NW. Balkan Pen., Prince Edward I., Romania, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, United States
iNaturalist: © icbryson-fraxinusenviro (iNaturalist #48846673)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Santalaceae
- Genus:
- Comandra
- Species:
- Comandra umbellata
- USDA Symbol:
- COUM
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris comandrana, American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera), Ochromolopis ramapoella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; often increases in abundance in fire-maintained prairies and savannas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in open woods and prairies
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Notes:
- Hemiparasitic; requires host plant roots for establishment. Germination may be erratic without proper host contact.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI