Native Plant Database

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Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Melampodium leucanthum Torr. & Gray

Blackfoot Daisy, Rock daisy, Plains blackfoot

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: MELE2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low, round, bushy plant with flower heads of 8-10 broad white rays surrounding a small yellow central disk. Plains blackfoot or blackfoot daisy is a low, bushy, mounded perennial, 6-12 in. tall and twice as wide. It is covered with narrow leaves and 1 in. wide, white, daisy-like flowers. The white rays are toothed at the tips and surround yellow disk flowers. These honey-scented flower heads are solitary and terminal on slender stalks.

At first glance, Blackfoot Daisy appears to be the twin of White Zinnia (Zinnia acerosa), but flower heads of the latter species have 4-6 broad white rays and a narrow base of several overlapping scales. Both may be found in the same habitat, but the range of White Zinnia does not extend as far south as Blackfoot Daisy.

 

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. , 0-1 ft.
Size Notes: Plants are seldom over 6 inches high, and the clump is 1–2 feet across.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: The yellow-orange disc flowers contrast sharply with the white ray flowers.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , KS , NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: CO to OK, s. to AZ, c. TX & Mex.
Native Habitat: Throughout, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Dry calcalreous substrates
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Dry, rocky, calcareous soils. Rocky, Gravelly Sandy, Limestone-based, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: Blackfoot daisy is a sturdy, mounding plant, that will flourish in rock gardens. It is heat and drought tolerant. Good drainage is essential to its success. In late winter, older plants can be cut back halfway to keep them compact. Rich soil and abundant water will likely produce many more flowers in the short-term, but may consequently shorten the lifespan.
Texas comments: Blackfoot daisy is a sturdy, mounding plant, that will flourish in rock gardens. It is heat and drought tolerant. Good drainage is essential to its success. In late winter, older plants can be cut back halfway to keep them compact. Rich soil and abundant water will likely produce many more flowers in the short-term, but may consequently shorten the lifespan.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Rock gardens, Blooms ornamental, Long-blooming
Use Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-Butterflies, Nectar-insects, Seeds-Granivorous birds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High
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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Melampodium leucanthum (Plains blackfoot) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Leucanthemum vulgare (oxeye daisy)
   Leucanthemum vulgare (oxeye daisy)

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: I moved to TX last year, for now living in an apartment with a good-size but shady deck; my garden in VA was full of VA native plants. What TX natives, if any, can I grow in containers on a shady deck? Besides prickly pear: already have babies growing from three fallen pads that I potted. Thank you.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I have a steep, dry hillside measuring approximately 4 feet high by six feet wide. I want to plant low growing, evergreen, flowering plants across the bed that will flower as long as possible, and thrive in the given conditions. I live in Austin. The hillside receives part to full sun. There is irrigation for water. At the top of the bed there is yellow nandina, a crepe myrtle and rosemary shrubs. Do you have any suggestions, please?
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Question: I live in Driftwood and am looking for flowering, deer-resistant plants for the northern side of my house; however the house turn just enough to the west that the flowerbed receives about 3 hours of afternoon sun (just enough to really cook them about August). Do you have any suggestions?
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I'm interested in finding native plants, either perennials or grasses, that would help control erosion on a fairly steep slope. These plants would be in a park, and volunteers will be watering the plants. The area is partly shaded. We are considering little bluestem grass for part of the area and wonder if that would be appropriate.
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Question: Good day, I am searching for a list of native Texas flowers (preferably perennials) for a flower garden. Thank you.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
United States Botanic Garden - Washington, DC
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff, MAC

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