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Native Plant Society of Texas

Greenthread

Thelesperma filifolium

Other common name(s):

Stiff Greenthread

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Gravelly, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Annual or short-lived perennial that grows in colonies. Drought tolerant due to its slender tap root. Prefers disturbed sites in dry, sandy or gravelly soil, but adaptable to a variety of soil types. Long flowering season. Self sows freely. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms March-October. Stems are slender and branched. The name refers to the appearance of the leaves divided into thread-like segments. Flower buds are urn-shaped and droop before opening. Greenthread has yellow, daisy like flowers that occur on delicate, leafless stalks. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus. Larval host: Dwarf Yellow Butterfly.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Direct sow in late fall, planting just below the surface of the soil. For spring planting, mix the Thelesperma Filifolium seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination. Water seedlings occasionally until they become established; since they need good drainage, mature plants grow well in drought and poor soil as well as rocky soil or gravel. Occasional watering in especially dry weather will improve its blooming. This greenthread plant will self-seed occasionally in good growing conditions. It makes an excellent choice for rock gardens, and attracts butterflies. After the flower petals fall from the head, the center cone will begin to develop seed. Remove the seed heads as soon as the stem beneath the cone begins to turn dry and brown. Spread the seed heads out to dry away from direct sunlight, then separate the Thelesperma Filifolium seeds from the stems by rubbing them lightly. Store the cleaned greenthread seed in a dry, cool place. 1) https://www.everwilde.com/store/Greenthread-Wildflower-Seeds.html 2) https://plantiary.com/plant/thelesperma-filifolium_4424.html#:~:text=The%20propagation%20of%20this%20plant,pot%20or%20into%20the%20garden.
Seed Stratification Cold stratify for 15-45 days. Sow in early spring at 15 60 - 75 degrees F. https://www.gardenia.net/plant/thelesperma-filifolium
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone and plant it in a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and place the cutting in a warm, bright area. After a few weeks, the cutting should start to develop roots. Once the roots have developed, the new plant can be transplanted into its own pot or into the garden. Take a 3-4 inch cutting from healthy stem tips, avoiding any flowers or flower buds. https://plantiary.com/plant/thelesperma-filifolium_4424.html#:~:text=The%20propagation%20of%20this%20plant,pot%20or%20into%20the%20garden.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason