FNPS Plant Database

Bejaria racemosa

tarflower, flyweed
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

tarflower, flyweed

Synonym(s):

Befaria racemosa

Genus species:

Bejaria racemosa

Family:

Ericaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

6 to 8 ft tall by 4 to 6 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,pink

Fruit Color:

black

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms spring-summer.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Naturalistic settings. Conserve in residual natural settings if possible.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seeds and cuttings.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Very long 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

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Bees and flies are attracted to the flowers, and are often caught on the sticky flowers. 





Native bee visitors include sweat,  resin, leaf-cutter, and bumble bees.





 

Native Habitats:

Dry sites. Scrubby flatwoods, scrub.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The scientific name Befaria racemosa was apparently an early transcription error. The genus is named after an 18th century Spanish botanist by the name of Bejar.



Documented bees include Agapostemon splendens, Augochlorella aurata, A. gratiosa, Augochloropsis sumptuosa, Anthidiellum perplexum, Anthidium maculifrons, Megachile brevis pseudobrevis, M. mendica, M. petulans, Bombus impatiens and B. pennsylvanicus (Deyrup et al. 2002).

Citations:

Institute for Regional Conservation.  Accessed 2021.  Natives for Your Neighborhood.  https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Bejarace.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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