• Family name: Fabaceae

• Host plant for: Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia) and Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

• General description: Woody, deciduous, multi-branched shrub with airy, pinnately compound leaves and spikes of showy dark violet flowers with contrasting orange stamens. Flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. Easy to grow, underutilized plant for sun to part-shade locations and maintenance-free once established. Adapts well to most gardens. Thrives with regular moisture and fertilizer. Can be grown as specimen plant.

• Type: Densely branched shrub
• Flower: Spikes of small, dark violet flowers
• Bloom time: Spring to fall
• Soil type: Moist to dry, well-drained soils
• Maximum height: 12 feet

• Availability in nursery: Specialty and native plant nurseries
• Frenquency in the wild: Occasional
• Habitat: hardwood forests, wetlands

• Range in Florida

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The Florida Wildflowers & Butterflies projects at the Florida Museum are sponsored in part by the State of Florida and the Florida Wildflower Foundation, Inc.