Stylosanthes guianensis Seeds | Stylo
LATIN NAME: Stylosanthes guianensis
COMMON NAME: Stylo
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) is a low, spreading, perennial in the pea family. Stylo is low, leafy legume of warm pasture, and small, yellow, pea-like flowers hide among trifoliate leaves. Low, spreading, perennial plant carries trifoliate leaves of three narrow leaflets and small, yellow, pea-like flowers in small clusters through warm season, to be followed by small, curved pods. Plant is a fine, generous presence of warm pasture and soil-building plot. The flowers pull in pollinating insects, which quietly widens its usefulness in the garden. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the pea family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. A long cultivation history means growers know what to expect from it.
Uses & Benefits
Stylo works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Stylo is a fine, generous plant of warm pasture and soil-building plot. Small, yellow, pea-like flowers open through warm season, drawing bees, and plant feeds soil with nitrogen, growing into low, leafy cover of warm pasture that cattle and sheep graze with the ease. It has been written up in agricultural and botanical papers for yellow clusters and pasture ways, and it is a fine, generous plant of open, sunny, well-drained garden. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Stylo is a premier tropical forage legume, fixing nitrogen and feeding cattle across the world’s dry tropics.
Growing from Seed
Stylo grows readily from seed. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Stylo repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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