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Damianita

Chrysactinia mexicana

Other common name(s):

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Caliche, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Very Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Drought Tolerant. Provide well drained soil. Spring: Prune lightly after bloom if garden space is limited. Summer, winter: Prune lightly for shape and remove woody stems from beneath. Do not over water; fragrant foliage; excellent rock garden plant. Propagation: Seed, Softwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms April-September. Bushy, low-growing, aromatic, evergreen shrub with stems rising in mounded or bouquet form from a woody base. Flower heads are golden yellow, 1″ across, on slender stems at the end of the branches. Technically a shrub; used like a flower. Attracts bees.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHME3. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Chrysactinia+mexicana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=2525&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 237. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=37041#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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