Common Name:

scareweed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Baptisia simplicifolia

Family:

Form:

flower

Size:

1.5-3 feet tall

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pale yellow, greenish yellow

Fruit Color:

black, woody pods

Phenology:

winter dormant; plant dries and breaks off, becoming a tumbleweed

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Treat as a small shrub even though this is not woody or use as a background plant in a wildflower garden.

Considerations:

Toxic to livestock and humans.

Availability:

Propagation:

Seed (scarification  may be beneficial but not required). 

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Humus (organic, upland), Sand

Soil pH:

acidic to circum-neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A, 8B

Wildlife:

Deer and rabbits browse the foliage, and as a legume it provides nutritious, protein-rich food.

Larval host for wild indigo duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae) and Zarucco duskywing (Erynnis zarucco) butterflies. Pollinated by bumble bees.

Native Habitats:

Flatwoods, sandhills and other upland open pinelands

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This plant is a legume and its roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules on them. It is useful on nutrient poor soils. Baptisia simplicifolia is a Florida endemic and is listed as Threatened by the FDACS.