Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Tamauilipan Spring Mistflower

Tamaulipa azurea

Other common name(s):

Blue Mistflower, Blue Boneset

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.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub, Vine

Height

2
to
4
ft.

Spread

5
to
10
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Clay, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Tuck clippings and seed heads under the plants to benefit the soil. Native habitat: shrublands, often in palm groves. Propagation: stem cutting.

Comments

Blooms February-July. Stems erect or clambering, Can form a twining vine with bluish or blue lavender disc flowers. The fruit is a cypsela: a single seed with silky hairs attached.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Eupatorium azureum

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Prepare the stem cuttings by making a fresh cut just below a leaf node. Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder or solution to enhance root development. This step increases the chances of successful rooting. Fill a potting container with a sterile, well-draining potting mix, ideally a mixture of peat and perlite. Stick the prepared cuttings about 2 inches deep into the soil, ensuring at least one node is below the surface. Space multiple cuttings at least an inch apart. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it inside a mini-greenhouse to create a humid environment around the cuttings. This helps prevent moisture loss and promotes root growth. Ensure the covering does not touch the leaves by supporting it with sticks or a frame. Place the pot in indirect light where temperatures are consistently warm but not too hot. Water the soil to keep it slightly moist but avoid waterlogging. Over the next 4-6 weeks, monitor the moisture and gradually reduce humidity as you notice new growth. After roots have established, gradually acclimate blue boneset to less humid conditions before transplanting to a more permanent location. Blue boneset prefers partial to full sunlight and well-draining soil. Regular watering to maintain moist soil and occasional fertilization will support healthy growth. Protect blue boneset from extreme temperatures and pests. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and promotes denser foliage. Blue boneset is best propagated during late spring to early summer. Cuttings taken during this period benefit from warmer temperatures (70-75°F) and longer daylight, which promote root formation and growth. This timing aligns with the plant's natural growth cycle, ensuring optimal conditions for successful propagation. Select healthy non-flowering stems from a mature blue boneset. Use a sharp, clean pair of scissors or gardening shears to cut a 4-6 inch segment from the tip of the stem, ensuring each cutting has at least 2-3 leaf nodes. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Tamaulipa_azurea.html

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