Changeable Velvetberry
Stachytarpheta mutabilis
- Native to:
- Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago
Akasmita
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Verbenaceae
- Genus:
- Stachytarpheta
- Species:
- Stachytarpheta mutabilis
- USDA Symbol:
- STMU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, red, magenta
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, hummingbirds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers organic matter-rich environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions with light exposure. Surface sow and keep moist.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI