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Fragrant Mistflower

Chromolaena odorata

Other common name(s):

Fragrant Boneset. Crucita, Blue Mistflower, Blue Boneset, Jack In The Bush, Siam Weed, Common Flossflower, Christmas Bush, Devilweed

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

This is a low maintenance, drought tolerant plant. Cut back annually to half its height to make it bushy. In extreme winters it will die back to the ground. Propagation: Seed, Softwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms August-December. Fragrant Mistflower has curved shaped branches that can reach 8 ft. in length. The arrow shaped leaves are evergreen in the southern part of it’s range. Lilac to bright purplish-blue flowers cluster together into showy, ageratum-like flower heads. #1 Coastal Bend butterfly plant; Monarch favorite. Abundant nectar to butterflies & other insects when most plants are not in bloom. Seeds for birds. Larva Host: Rounded Metal-mark butterfly
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s, Eupatorium odoratum, Osmia odorata

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHOD. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Chromolaena+odorata&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=2524&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=37034#null

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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