Pencilflower, Cheesytoes
Stylosanthes hamata
Fabaceae


Landscape Uses:

A common weed. Not generally recommended for the garden.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description:
Height:
Growth Rate:
Range:
West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America; probably introduced in South Florida.
Habitats:
Open, disturbed areas.
Soils:
Nutritional Requirements:
Salt Water Tolerance:
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Drought Tolerance:
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Yellow.
Flower Characteristics:
Semi-showy.
Flowering Season:
All year.
Fruit:
Wildlife and Ecology:
Larval host plant for barred yellow (Eurema daira) butterflies.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
May be occasionally mowed or bear light foot traffic.


Shirley Denton
Roger Hammer 2020, Larry and Penny Thompson Park, Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA
Susan Lerner, cultivated at Pan's Garden, Town of Palm Beach, Florida, USA.