Sidebeak pencilflower
Stylosanthes biflora

Family: Leguminosae

What it is like

Stylosanthes biflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Rocky open woods, glades, prairies, usually on acid substrates.

Native to the Southeastern United States

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Nitrogen fixer. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. The foliage is highly palatable to hoofed mammalian herbivores (Banta & Thro, 1995).

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Prefers full or partial sun, mesic (environment or habitat containing a moderate amount of moisture) to dry conditions, and a somewhat acidic infertile soil where there is reduced competition from other kinds of ground vegetation. Bloom Color: Yellow. Bloom Time: May to Sep. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Sidebeak Pencilflower, Stylosanthes Species, Pencil Flower

Synonyms

Arachis aprica Walter S. biflora var. elatior (L.) Kuntze. S. biflora var. guianensis (Aubl.) Kuntze. S. biflora var. hispidissima Mohr. S. biflora var. hispidissima Pollard & Ball. S. elatior Sw. S. elatior var. hispidissima Torr. & A.Gray. S. floridana S.F.Blake. S. hispida Michx. S. hispida var. hispidissima Michx. S. hispida var. nudiuscula Michx. S. hispida var. procumbens Pursh. S. riparia Kearney. S. riparia var. setifera Fernald. Trifolium biflorum L.