Native Plant Database

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Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)
Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

Conoclinium coelestinum (L.) DC.

Blue mistflower

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Eupatorium coelestinum

USDA Symbol: COCO13

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Mistflower grows to 3 feet high, but often lower, with leaves opposite, somewhat triangular in shape, and bluntly toothed. At the top of the plant the branches, with their short-stemmed clusters of flowers, form an almost flat top. Disk flowers are bright blue or violet, about 1/4 inch long. There are no ray flowers.

Blue Mistflower attracts bees and butterflies. However, this wildflower spreads quickly and can become a pest.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: 2-3
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , DC
Native Distribution: NJ to s. IL & e. KS, s. to FL & TX
Native Habitat: Wood margins; stream banks; low woods; wet meadows; ditches
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN (I?)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist loam, sand, or clay.
Conditions Comments: Blue mistflower is good as a border plant or as a colonizing groundcover. The fluffy-edged flowers are a magnet for late-season butterflies. It also spreads quickly and can become a pest.
Texas comments: Blue mistflower is good as a border plant or as a colonizing groundcover. The fluffy-edged flowers are a magnet for late-season butterflies. It also spreads quickly and can become a pest if not kept in check. It is good for areas with poor drainage.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: This wildflower attracts bees and butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagate by root division or by seed. Sow seeds in fall or provide cold stratification. Mist flower can also be propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring.
Seed Collection: Seeds can be allowed to dry out before sowing.
Seed Treatment: This species requires or benefits from a three month period of cold moist stratification in the refrigerator.
Commercially Avail: yes
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: What flowers and plants do the caterpillars in Tennessee eat? And do you know what butterflies live in Tipton Co. Tennessee?
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: We live in upstate new york( zone 5) with full sun and clay soil. What flowers/flowering shrubs would be successful in this environment?
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I would like to use native plantings to stabilize a steep bank of a septic leach field in eastern Pennsylvania. My purpose is to control erosion and to eliminate the need for mowing. What would you recommend?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Amandas Garden - Springwater, NY

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Conoclinium coelestinum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Conoclinium coelestinum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Conoclinium coelestinum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-18
Research By: TWC Staff, GDB

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