Scareweed
Scareweed is listed as a threatened species.
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
Sopchoppy Depot Park displays native wildflowers to inspire use. A few wildflowers are included for preservation. Now showing pale-yellow flowers in the northwest garden, Baptisia simplicifolia is a Florida endemic restricted to 5 counties in the panhandle. Its entire global range is 400-2,000 square miles with only 2,500-10,000 plants. Baptisia simplicifolia is listed as “threatened,” a species in rapid decline, due to development and fire exclusion. Fortunately, most of its population is on protected land, mainly the Apalachicola National Forest. Regardless, infrequent fire remains a threat and a 10-30% decline is predicted. Commonly called scareweed, this legume grows 1½-3 feet tall in open upland pinelands. It is pollinated by bumble bees and feeds the caterpillars of duskywing butterflies. In winter, the dry plant breaks off and becomes a tumbleweed.