SafePlants

Cleome lutea: Yellow Bee Plant and Yellow Spiderflower

Cleome lutea, commonly known as yellow bee plant or yellow spiderflower, is an annual wildflower that brings a vibrant splash of color to its native habitats.

Considerations for Pets

• The text references the presence of "compound leaves," which may be a consideration for pets that tend to ingest foliage.

Considerations for Children

• The plant grows up to 1.2 meters (4ft) tall, which may be something to consider in a child's garden.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cleome lutea
• Common Names: Yellow bee plant, yellow spiderflower, yellow spider-flower, yellow caper
• Synonyms: Cleome lutea var. lutea, Peritoma lutea

Distribution and Habitat

• Cleome lutea is native to the western regions. Specific locations are not listed.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Cleome lutea is an annual plant growing to 1.2 meters (4ft) in height.
• It features compound leaves and racemes of small yellow flowers at the tops.
• Flowering occurs from July to August.
• The flowers are hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.
• It is frost tender.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Flower spiders (Diaea species) are known to hunt on Cleome lutea flowers. These spiders may be yellow or white, camouflaging themselves to match the flower color.
• Crab spiders, including the Goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia), are also found on yellow flowers such as Cleome lutea, preying on insects that visit the blooms.

Quirky Facts

• The meaning of Spider Flowers is: "Elope with me".

Further Information

• Utah State University, Bugwood.org is a resource for pictures of the plant.