Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: 6-8 inches tall.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: TX
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Conditions Comments: Cardinal feather is a low, clump-forming plant that blooms nearly half of the year. The plants are either male or female flowers. The male flowers are found on long tubular spikes, while the female flowers grow on shorter spikes interspersed with green bracts. The stems are densely pubescent. Cardinal feather provides interesting texture in a planted garden, be careful however not to let larger plants crowd it. Requires good drainage. Best leaf color in full sun.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Good in rock gardens and sunny area ground cover.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal

Propagation

Propagation Material: Softwood Cuttings
Description: If stock plants are kept in the greenhouse over the winter, plants can be cut back and cuttings can be taken at any time. Plants kept outside may not be well emerged by early April.
Commercially Avail: yes

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

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0135 Collected Sept. 17, 1991 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
NPSOT 1107 Collected Jun 30, 1992 in Bexar County by Curt Walker

Bibliography

Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1994 VOL. 11, NO.6 - Wildflower Center Featured Non-Profit in Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, Dana Leav...

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