Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Xyridaceae

Genus:

Xyris

Species:

Xyris elliottii

USDA Symbol:

XYEL2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug,sep,oct

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously after fire from basal rosettes. Benefits from periodic burns that reduce competition in wet pine savannas.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

commonly found in wet pine flatwoods and bogs

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Best sown on moist, acidic peat-sand mix without covering.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI