Plants of the UNF Campus
Stachytarpheta mutabilis - Giant porterweed
Family Verbebaceae
Description:
About fifty species of Stachytarpheta
are native to warm climates in Asia, and North
and South America. They are relatively small
herbs and shrubs. Several species have showy flower spikes and are cultivated
in gardens around the world. The giant porterweed is native to Central America. Stems are topped with slender spikes of deep
purple or coral-pink flowers. These flowers are very attractive to butterflies
and hummingbirds.
Location:
See plants on the east side of building 932 B.
Size:
Herbaceous perennial to about eight feet tall.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: average water requirements, tolerates some drought
Soil: very adaptable
In trials, this appears to be a hardy perennial in northeast Florida. So far, it has survived winter lows in the low 20’s F. Stems are killed by a hard frost but the plant resprouts in late spring.
Stachytarpheta mutabilis
Giant porterweed
Verbebaceae
About fifty species of Stachytarpheta
are native to warm climates in Asia, and North
and South America. They are relatively small
herbs and shrubs. Several species have showy flower spikes and are cultivated
in gardens around the world. The giant porterweed is native to Central America. Stems are topped with slender spikes of deep
purple or coral-pink flowers. These flowers are very attractive to butterflies
and hummingbirds.
stachytarpheta_mutabilis1.jpg
stachytarpheta_mutabilis2.jpg
See plants on the east side of building 932 B.
Herbaceous perennial to about eight feet tall.
full sun to part shade
average water requirements, tolerates some drought
very adaptable
In trials, this appears to be a hardy perennial in northeast Florida. So far, it has survived winter lows in the low 20’s F. Stems are killed by a hard frost but the plant resprouts in late spring.
