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Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida (Zexmenia)
Page, Lee

Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida

Wedelia acapulcensis Kunth var. hispida auct. non (Kunth) Strother

Zexmenia, Orange Zexmenia, Hairy Wedelia, Wedelia, Texas Creeping-oxeye

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Wedelia hispida, Wedelia texana, Zexmenia hispida

USDA Symbol: WEACH

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Texas creeping-oxeye or Wedelia is a small shrub, from 8 in. to 3 ft. tall, woody at the base and herbaceous in the leafy parts, ranging from central and west Texas south into Mexico. Woody branches send down roots and gradually increase the plants circumference. Upper stems covered with stiff appressed hairs and rough to the touch. Rough-hairy, gray-green foliage. Leaves rough on both surfaces, varying in shape from lobed in the basal half on either or both sides to narrow and unlobed, with margins weakly toothed or untoothed. Flowers minute, in showy heads with yellow to orange rays appearing on petals of a single flower, on long stems (peduncles) extending vertically above the leaves. Daisy-like flowers which literally cover the plant from summer to frost.

Woody-stemmed and evergreen in the southern part of its range, this plant dies to the ground farther north. It is hardy, long-lived, long-blooming, non-aggressive, and popular as a low, shrubby flower for massing in full sun.

 

From the Image Gallery

38 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Variety hispida occurs on the Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande plains, in the Trans-Pecos, & in n.e. Mex. The species ranges south to Panama.
Native Habitat: Fields & wood borders, Abundant on Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, less frequent in the Trans-Pecos and Southeast and North Central Texas. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, limestone.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Zexmenia is long-lived, drought-tolerant, non-aggressive, and easy to grow. Excess water or shade can make it leggy; cut it back periodically. Woody-stemmed and evergreen in the southern part of its range, Zexmenia dies to the ground farther north.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Bordered Patch, Sierran Metalmark, Lacinia Patch butterfly
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood Cuttings
Description: Use fresh seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, or layers for propagation.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

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

NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-07-08
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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