A short, adaptable nitrogen-fixer with small but bright purple blooms. Hardy, easy to grow in poor soils, and drought tolerant. Reseeds in favorable conditions, but seeds should be spread by hand if desired as they rarely travel far from the mother plant. An excellent species to plant among butterfly milkweed for soil health and contrasting blooms!

Light: Full Sun

Soil Moisture: Mesic, Dry Mesic, Dry

Soil Type: Adaptable

Height: 1'-2'

Bloom Color: Purple

Bloom Time: Jul-Aug

Root Type: Taproot

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract bees (including several specialist species), wasps, flies, small butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Hosts the dogface sulphur and Reakirt’s blue butterflies, as well as a number of smaller insects. Readily eaten by mammalian herbivores.