Blackfoot Daisy

Melampodium leucanthum

Rock Daisy, Plains Blackfoot, Arnica

NPSOT NTX, NLCP Level 1; Marie-Theres Herz; Herbarium Sheet

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Grassland

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands

Maintenance

Spring, summer, fall: Prune lightly if leggy. Winter: Cut back by 1/2. Does not like rich soil or wet feet; do not fertilize or water regularly. Our natural rainfall is enough for this plant. Overwatering, too much mulch or poor drainage can be fatal. Provide good drainage. This is a short-lived perennial, and reseeds to propagate. Can be tricky to get started.

Comments

Short, white, daisy-like blooms all spring and summer; reseeds; requires dry conditions; excellent rock garden plant; will not tolerate poor drainage.

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

0.5 to

1.5 ft

Spread

1 to

1 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Limestone, Caliche, Acid, Alkaline, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds, Bees

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References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 197. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MELE2. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Melampodium+leucanthum&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=3798&locationType=County&mapType=Normal., 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=38085#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Native Plant Society of Texas