Photo by: Jeannie Brodhead, Saracennia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

scareweed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Baptisia simplicifolia

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1.5 to 3 ft 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:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

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:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seed (scarification  may be beneficial but not required).  

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Acidic to circum-neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Mammals

Larval host for wild indigo duskywing ( Erynnis baptisiae ) and Zarucco duskywing ( Erynnis zarucco ) butterflies.





Pollinated by bumble bees.

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

Native Habitats:

Flatwoods, sandhills and other upland open pinelands

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

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.