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Catbells
ExplorePlants
Catbells
Baptisia perfoliata
Catbells are beautiful plants with lovely blue flowers that bloom in spring. They grow tall and can be found in sunny places, making them a cheerful sight in gardens and fields.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Catbells has distinctive gray-green leaves that appear to be pierced by the stem, a feature called 'perfoliate'. Its bright yellow, pea-like flowers grow in clusters, contrasting with its often purplish stems. This shrubby plant stands out with its unusual foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusBaptisia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
After blooming, it grows cool seed pods that rattle in the wind.
Its quirky leaves look like the stem is growing *through* them!
Native Americans used relatives of Catbells to make blue dyes.
This plant is a super friend to bees, helping them find food!
Special abilities
Ability
Nitrogen Fixer
Catbells can enrich the soil by converting nitrogen gas into a plant-usable form, acting like a natural fertilizer.
Ability
Rainwater Channel
Catbells has unique perfoliate leaves where the stem appears to pierce through, helping channel rainwater to its roots.
Ability
Chemical Defense
Catbells produces mild toxins that protect it from most hungry herbivores, making it less appealing to eat.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
Collects nectar and pollen
eats
Horace's Duskywing
Erynnis horatius
Larval host plant for caterpillars
symbiotic with
Florida Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex badius
Disperses seeds for food reward
symbiotic with
Rhizobium bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Fixes nitrogen in root nodules
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Catbells?
30-90 cm
How wide does Catbells spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Catbells?
2-3 cm
When does Catbells bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Catbells edible?
No
Is Catbells toxic?
Mild
What is Catbells's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Catbells pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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