Marcus, Joseph A.
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia (Kunth) Nees
Tanseyleaf tansyaster, Tahoka Daisy, Tansy Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Branched stems with fern-like leaves ending in flower heads with many bright purple, very narrow rays surrounding a yellow central disk. Tahoka-daisy is a low, spreading, 6-12 in.
annual with delicate but showy, aster-like flowers. Numerous lavender rays surround a yellow center. The stems are densely covered with sharp-pointed, deeply cut leaves which appear fern-like. Plants often form clumps or mounds.
The fern-like leaves of this beautiful species make it one of the easiest to identify in a complex group. False Tahoka Daisy (
M. parviflora) is similar but has smaller flower heads, each with a central disk only 1/4-1/2 (6-13 mm) wide, and less elaborately divided leaves; it occurs from Utah south to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.
Image Gallery:
31 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Annual Habit: Herb Size Notes: 6-12
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , IL , KS , MT , NE , NV , NM , NY , OK , SD , TX , UT , WY
Native Distribution: Alberta south to southeastern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.
Native Habitat: Abundant in sandy soils in the Plains Country and Trans-Pecos, rarely east to stream beds of the Edwards Plateau; SD to Alberta, Canada south to north central Mexico.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: This plant is upright to widely spreading and is often naturalized in a short grass meadow or on a rocky slope or other hard to maintain area. Also used to plant between flagstones. Sow seed in situ or in pots and transplant 6 to 12 inches apart in well drained soil. Periodic watering will encourage blooms.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Rock gardens, Rocky hillside, Shortgrass meadow
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal
Last Update: 2011-04-28
