Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2981488

Perennial Wooly Bean

Strophostyles umbellata

Also known as Pink Fuzzybean, Perennial Wild Bean, Perennial Fuzzybean, Sand Bean

Trailing through sandy pine savannas and open meadows, pink fuzzybean produces delicate pea-like flowers that open in pale pink to lavender clusters atop long, erect stalks. Its deep perennial taproot anchors the vine against drought while symbiotic root bacteria enrich lean soils by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. When ripe, the narrow fuzzy seedpods twist open elastically, flinging smooth seeds that provide high-protein forage for ground-nesting gamebirds.

WildflowerNitrogen-fixingTrailing
Perennial Wooly Bean reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic; fixes atmospheric nitrogen via symbiotic root bacteria
Predators
  • Northern Bobwhite
  • Wild Turkey
  • White-tailed Deer
ThreatsWoody succession, heavy soil compaction, and shading from dense canopy closure
HabitatsSandy pine savannas, open woodlands, coastal dunes, old fields, and sunny roadsides
Life spanPerennial (several years via persistent woody rootstock)
Classification
  1. FamilyFabaceae
  2. SpeciesStrophostyles umbellata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Field Identification: Check the untoothed, unlobed oval leaflets to distinguish it from trailing fuzzybean, which often has distinctly lobed leaves.
  • Flowering Season: Look for its subtle pink flowers clustered on long, leafless stalks standing above the trailing stems from June through September.
  • Habitat Spotting: Scan sunny forest borders and sandy roadsides where vines sprawl low over open ground without climbing tall vegetation.
Related species
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