Frostweed

Verbesina virginica

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

White Crownbeard, Iceplant, Iceweed, Virginia Crownbeard, Indian Tobacco, Richweed, Squawweed

NPSOT North Texas NLCP, Marie-Therese Herz, Herbarium Sheet

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies

Maintenance

Best suited for naturalizing rather than formal landscapes. Can be cut by half in mid-summer to keep neat. Give space since it spreads easily and forms colonies. Thin to control where not wanted.

Comments

Large, dark-green leaves and white autumn flowers. Early in morning of first hard freeze, stems split open to expose long curls of ice. It is also considered a magnet for bees and butterflies in the Fall when blooming. High deer resistance. Monarchs especially love the nectar.

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

3 to

6 ft

Spread

1 to

2 ft

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Acid, Calcareous, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

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References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 52. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VEVI3. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Verbesina+virginica&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=4736&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=38613#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Native Plant Society of Texas