Marcus, Joseph A.
Lindheimera texana Gray & Engelm.
Texas yellowstar, Texas star, Lindheimer daisy, Texas yellow star
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Texas star plants are 6-24 inches tall and widely branched. Stems and branches are hairy. The lower leaves are
alternate and coarsely
toothed, but the upper ones are
opposite and smooth on the edges, 2-2 1/2 inches long. There are 1 to several flower heads in a cluster at the end of each stem. Each flower
head has 5 bright yellow
ray flowers, each with 2 prominent veins and indented at the tip. Flower heads are 1-1 1/4 inches across. The plant sometimes begins blooming when it is 2 in. tall and continues blooming while growing taller.
Texas Yellowstar is easily cultivated and does well in garden settings.
This genus is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879) who is often called the Father of Texas Botany because of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in Texas. In 1834 Lindheimer immigrated to the United States as a political refugee. He spent from 1843-1852 collecting specimens in Texas. In 1844 he settled in New Braunfels, Texas, and was granted land on the banks of the Comal River, where he continued his plant collecting and attempted to establish a botanical garden. He shared his findings with many others who shared his interest in botany, including Ferdinand von Roemer and Adolph Scheele. Lindheimer is credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species. In addition his name is used to designate forty-eight species and subspecies of plants. He is buried in New Braunfels. His house, on Comal Street in New Braunfels, is now a museum.
Image Gallery:
30 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Annual Habit: Herb Root Type: Tap Leaf Shape: Lanceolate Size Notes: 6-24
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AR , LA , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Oklahoma and Arkansas south through Texas to Coahuila
Native Habitat: Prairies; roadsides, Abundant in prairies of north central and southern part of east Texas and Edwards Plateau. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, limestone.
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Sandy loam or limestone soils. Clay Loam, Medium Loam, Sandy Loam, Sandy
Conditions Comments: Texas star is easily cultivated and does well in garden settings. Texas star can vary somewhat in size, depending on depth, moisture and richness of soil. It makes a good bedding and border plant; you can depend on it to reseed.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: No
Last Update: 2008-07-30
