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Tropical puff

Neptunia pubescens

Other common name(s):

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
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
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Groundcover

Height

.25
to
1
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Rocky, Limestone, Alkaline, Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Variable

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Maintenance

Grows to about 6 inches tall and spreads several feet. It is evergreen in the warmer parts of its range and deciduous in cooler climates. Rarely propagated commercially, but may be available through local NPSOT chapter plant sales. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms March-November. Ground-hugging stems may be several feet long. It is evergreen in the warmer parts of its range and deciduous in cooler climates. The foliage is bipinnately compound. with tiny leaflets no more than 1/2 inch. As the Latin name implies, the leaves and stems are pubescent – covered by noticeable soft hairs. They also are touch sensitive to touch and fold at night. Small “powder puff” heads of bright yellow flowers are produced on stalks along the stems. Native habitat: river banks, coastal pinelands, edges of salt marshes. Attracts: pollinators, and foliage and seed is consume by wildlife. Larval host: Ceranus blue butterflies.

References

1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=NEPU3; 2) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26802#null; 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11480&locationType=County&mapType=Normal; 4) https://www.fnps.org/plant/neptunia-pubescens; 6) https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Neptpube, 7) https://littleredwagonnativenursery.com/products/tropical-puff-neptunia-pubescens-1-gal#:~:text=Tropical%20Puff%20(Neptunia%20pubescens)%20is,will%20attract%20bees%20and%20butterflies. 8) https://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/2020/06/tropical-puff-neptunia-pubescens.html

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

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

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