Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
blackfoot daisy
Family Name:
Asteraceae
Botanical Name:
Melampodium leucanthum
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Blackfoot daisy, is a low bushy herbaceous perennial that forms a neat mound reaching 6-12 inches tall and 12-16 inches across (2). Stems and leaves are covered with short stiff hairs, with fragrant oil glands. Leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem, and are gray-green in color, 1” long, narrow (lanceolate to linear in shape), have a prominent abaxial midrib, simple leaf margins and steeply tapered base (2).¬Flowers are 1” wide, and cover the plant (1, 2, 3). Each daisy-like flower head has 7-13 white ray flowers and 25-50 yellow disk flowers (1, 2, 3). The white ray flowers have a notched at the tips and starkly contrast the interior yellow disc flowers (1).They are honey-scented and borne singly on the terminus of a slender stalk Spring through Fall (1, 3). Fruit is commonly described as an achene (2,4) but is better described as a cypsela (3). It is black and has a wrinkled texture (2).
Compound:
Geographic Origin:
Western US, Northern Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Desert
Natural History:
Blackfoot daisy is native to the dry desert slopes, mesas, and high plains of the Southern great plains to Arizona in the southwest US and into Northern Mexico (2). It is commonly found in Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland communities and in disturbed areas and in rocky, gravelly, nutrient poor but well-drained at elevations between 2000 and 5000’ (2, 4)
Cultivation Notes:
Blackfoot daisy has a wide range of temperature tolerance growing from USDA 4-11 (3). It can be germinated from seed (4) and needs very little water and the deep root system allows access to deeper water source in cooler parts of the soil profile (2). It can tolerate dry rocky calcareous soils and prefers sun but part shade is best in hotter microclimates (2). Water infrequently Spring – Fall and avoid watering during winter to avoid root rot and leggy form (2, 4). Does not tolerate foot traffic (4). In late winter, older plants can be cut back halfway to keep them compact (3, 4).
Ethnobotany:
Blackfoot daisy is a showy, long-blooming, popular landscape ornamental plant suited as an accent, understory plant for desert- and rock-gardens (4). It is commonly used in large groups/mass plantings for greater impact (4). It has a fragrant, conspicuous flower, and is used by nectar-bees, butterflies, and insects and the seed is consumed by birds (3)
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
