Jim Pisarowicz, no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Polanisia is a genus of aromatic annual and short-lived herbs in the family Cleomaceae, native mostly to North America with a few species in Asia. Known as clammyweeds, the plants are covered in sticky glandular hairs that release a pungent scent and make the foliage feel tacky. Stems are erect and branched, reaching 8-24 in (20-60 cm) tall, with palmately compound leaves of three leaflets. From early summer to autumn the branch tips carry open clusters of small flowers, white to pink or purple, each with notched petals and a tuft of long purple stamens that extend well beyond the petals. These mature into slender, upright seed capsules 2-6 cm long packed with rough seeds. Polanisia dodecandra is the most widespread species, colonising open sand and gravel along rivers, prairies, and roadsides. Plants grow quickly from seed and self-sow freely on bare ground. One limitation is the strong, clammy odour of the foliage, and another is the short life span: plants complete their cycle within a single season.
Native Range
Polanisia is native chiefly to North America, ranging across the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico, with a few species reaching eastern Asia. Plants favour open, disturbed ground such as sandbars, gravel flats, prairies, and roadsides.Suggested Uses
Grown in wildflower meadows, gravel gardens, prairie plantings, and pollinator borders on poor soils. The flowers draw bees and butterflies through summer. Plants also stabilise bare sandy ground in naturalistic schemes.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from early summer into autumn, roughly June to September, continuing as the stems lengthen. Each cluster opens a few flowers at a time over many weeks, in white through pink to purple with conspicuous purple stamens. Bloom continues until frost ends the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pink or purple with purple stamensFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established