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Native Plant Society of Texas

False Boneset

Brickellia eupatorioides

Other common name(s):

Brickellbush

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, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, 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
Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

3
to
4
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Limestone, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green, Pink, White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Moths

Maintenance

Drought tolerant, low maintenance. Grows on a wide variety of soils. Prefers moist soil, but must have good drainage to avoid root rot. Makes attractive border or wildscape. Native habitat: dry open woods, thickets, clearings, rock slopes, limestone glades, and prairies.

Description

Blooms May-November. Diffusely branched form with pubescent stems. Linear to lance shaped leaves may turn yellow and shrivel toward the end of the year. Only disc flowers are produced, arranged on panicles. Roots can grow to 17 feet deep. The fruit is a cypsela: dry, one-seeded, topped with pappus. Deer and rabbit resistant: the plant has a bitter taste.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, or directly outdoors in the garden after the last frost. Use a well-draining seed starting mix and fill seed trays or pots with drainage holes. Sprinkle seeds onto the surface and cover lightly with soil. Maintain consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering. Provide bright, indirect light. When seedlings have developed their second set of true leaves, transplant them into individual pots or directly into the garden, spacing them 18-24 inches apart. Collect healthy seeds from mature plants after flowering. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-brickellia-eupatorioides/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Brickellia_eupatorioides.html
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder. Insert cuttings into a rooting medium like a mixture of perlite and vermiculite, or a specialized rooting formula. Maintain consistent moisture and provide bright, indirect light. Covering with a plastic bag helps to create a humid environment. After a few weeks, the cutting should start to root and you can gradually remove the plastic bag. When cuttings have established roots, typically within 4-6 weeks, transplant them into individual pots or directly into the garden, spacing them 18-24 inches apart. Cuttings offer a faster and Take cuttings in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Choose healthy, non-flowering stems with several nodes (where leaves emerge). Cut a 3-4" section of stem just below a node, remove the bottom leaves. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-brickellia-eupatorioides/ 2) https://plantiary.com/plant/brickellia-eupatorioides_4294.html?

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason