Savanna Stylo | |
| Species: | Savanna Stylo |
| Scientific Name: | Stylosanthes guianensis |
| Cultivars: | Savanna |
| Growth Habit: | Erect to semierect shrub 3-5 feet with
strong
branching. Leaf has three elongated, pointed
leaflets. Produces yellow to orange flowers.
Seeds are pale brown, but range from yellow to
very dark brown. Flowering starts in mid October and lasts several weeks. |
| Life Cycle: | Perennial (except in Northern Florida) |
| Origin: | Tropical Central and South America. |
| Production Season: | April to November. Plants remains green
until frost. In south FL (mid Dec frost), it can be a reseeding annual (because it matures seed by mid Dec; if frost is before mid Dec, it will not. Accumulates greatest dry matter in October and November. |
| Nutritive Value: | Varies depending on maturity (leaf:stem ratio) Usually medium to high crude protein; medium to high digestibility. |
| Use: | Grazing, hay, ground cover in orchards, green manure. Overseeding in perennial grass. Nutritive value similar or slightly higher than hairy indigo or alyceclover [CP 15- 17% (Aug), 10-12% (Sep), 10% (Nov). |
Adaptation | |
| Soil: | Adapted to well drained, sandy, low pH and
low fertility soils. Tolerant of high Al and
Mn Not tolerant of high salinity Needs lower levels of Molibdenum (Mo) compared to other tropical legumes. |
| pH: | Adapted to a wide range from very acid to basic (4.0 to 8.3). Target is 5.5 |
| Rainfall: | 40-90 inches. Best adapted to 55 in and
higher. Tolerant of short term waterlogging. Long term flooding will damage the plant and seedlings. |
| Temperature: | Sub-tropical to tropical. 73-81°F, and
as low as 65°F. Does not tolerate frosts. Grown in central and south Florida |
Management | |
| Planting Date: | February to March; anytime after last
killing frost.
If in area where Apr and May are dry, wait until the summer rains. |
| Planting Depth: | 1/2 inch. Firm soil with cultipacker or roller after planting. |
| Seeding Rate: | 10 to 20 lb/acre (use higher rate if in
unfavorable conditions, or overseeding)
Natural reseeding: Graze plants no lower than 10-12 inches in the fall to allow for natural seed production Plants 2-4 feet tall producer higher seed, or less seed is lost than taller (4-5 ft) plants, which are difficult to combine or mechanically harvest. |
| Seed Cost: | |
| Fertilization: | For fertilization info click this
link Does not need nitrogen (N) fertilizer. |
| Production: | Dry matter (DM) ranges from 1600 to 7000
lb/acre. Cut or graze to 4 or 8 inches in the first few months to stimulate branching; Grazing cycle could be: 1 week utilization, and 1 to 2 months rest period. If cutting, allow 2 to 3 months for cutting interval |
Notes | |
|
 "Stylo_savanna_stand.jpg")  |
 "Stylo_guianensis_stand.jpg") |
| Click on photo to view full size. |