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Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium (Stiff greenthread)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium (Hook.) Gray

Stiff greenthread, Showy Navajo tea, Greenthread

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: THFIF

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This winter annual, or short-lived perennial, is often found growing in colonies. Its slender, branched stems, 10-30 in. tall, bear leaves divided into thread-like segments. In bud, the flower heads droop; when fully opened, they are erect and upright. The yellow, daisy-like flowers occur on delicate, leafless stalks.

Stiff Greenthreads bloom period is often shortened by an insect larva that consumes the buds.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: AR , KS , LA , MO , MS , OK , TX
Native Distribution: S. SD to Mex., including parts of AR, OK & throughout TX
Native Habitat: Dry hills & plains. In East Texas and the Plains Country.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky or sandy soils. Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type.
Conditions Comments: The common name greenthread, refers to the thread-like appearance of the foliage. Many butterflies feed on this nectar plant that blooms profusely from April to June.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Wildflower meadow, Pocket prairie
Use Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-Butterflies, Nectar-insects, Seeds-Granivorous birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Dwarf Yellow butterfly.
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0819 Collected Mar 12, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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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.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-20
Research By: LAL, LAS

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