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Tarflower
Bejaria racemosa
Ericaceae


General Landscape Uses:

Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also an accent shrub.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

A fairly common shrub in a wide variety of flatwoods ecosystems.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description:
Medium to large shrub with erect branches. Leaves thin, often with a hairy midrib, 1-2 inches long.
Dimensions:
Typically 4-8 feet, sometimes taller. Sometimes as broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties. In Miami-Dade County it has been reported as far south as the Little River area.
Habitats:
Pinelands.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy soils, with or without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low to moderate; it can grow in nutrient poor soils or soils with some organic content.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
Bright white, often tinged with pink.
Flower Characteristics:
Semi-showy, in long terminal racemes. Fragrant and sticky.
Flowering Season:
Spring-fall.
Fruit:
Rounded sticky capsule.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Provides moderate amounts of food and significant cover for wildlife. Bees and flies are attracted to the flowers, and are often caught on the sticky flowers.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed.
Comments:
This is a very ornamental shrub when in flower, and worthy of more attention by the native plant trade. Synonyms: also spelled Befaria racemosa.


 


Keith A. Bradley
Keith A. Bradley
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton