Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Simsia calva
Simsia calva (Engelm. & A. Gray) A. Gray
Awnless Bush Sunflower, Bush Sunflower
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: sica7
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Up to about 5 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 , YellowBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: Petals often brown- or purple-lined, or wholly brown or purple abaxially.
Distribution
USA: NM , TXNative Distribution: Central Texas west to southeastern New Mexico, south to Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico
Native Habitat: Frequent in all but the northeastern region of Texas on dry uplands. Well-drained limestone and caliche.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: Bush sunflower is an extremely drought tolerant plant for a chalk prairie. It provides nectar for butterflies and seeds for songbirds.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Birds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFind Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0710 Collected Apr 1, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike FoxNPSOT 0627 Collected Nov 6, 1993 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
Bibliography
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Simsia calva in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Simsia calva in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Simsia calva
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-16Research By: TWC Staff