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Native Plant Society of Texas

Four-nerve Daisy

Tetraneuris scaposa

Other common name(s):

Hymenoxys, Stemmy Four-nerve Daisy, Bitterweed

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, Edwards Plateau, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands
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
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
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
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

0.5
to
1
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow, Green

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Little maintenance is required. Prefers dry, well drained soil. Don’t water too often or it gets leggy. Good in rock gardens. Can be grown in container gardens and hanging baskets. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms January-December. May bloom year-round in some regions. Low growing form. Long, narrow, silvery-green leaves are clumped mostly toward the base. The solitary daisy-like flowers occur at the end of long, leafless stalks. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Hymenoxys glabra, Hymenoxys scaposa, Hymenoxys scaposa var. glabra, Tetraneuris fastigiata, Tetraneuris glabra, Tetraneuris stenophylla

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 193. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TESC2. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Tetraneuris+scaposa&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=4633&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=530628#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Fresh seed may germinate better. Direct sow outdoors in fall. Sprinkle the seeds on the soil surface and lightly press them in, ensuring they are not buried deeply as they require light for optimal seed germination. Place the seed tray in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Keep warm and keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering. Slow growing. Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds. Or collect seed when it falls off easily, year-round. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TESC2 2) https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53549 3) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Tetraneuris_scaposa.html#:~:text=Propagation%20Time:%20Spring%2C%20Summer,to%20allow%20for%20optimal%20growth. 4) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-tetraneuris-scaposa/
Stem Cutting Strip the lower leaves to expose the nodes and dip in a rooting hormone before planting in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that at least two leaf nodes are buried in the soil. Provide consistent moisture and warmth to support root establishment. When ready to transplant, they require shallow planting for cuttings to take root. Take cuttings in spring and early summer to provide the best light levels and temperatures that support the rooting process and new growth. Select a healthy non-flowering stem 4-6 inches long and make a clean cut below a leaf node. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Tetraneuris_scaposa.html
Clump Division Replant the divisions immediately in well-prepared soil at the same depth as they were originally growing. Keep the soil consistently moist until they are established. Clump division should be done in early spring or fall. Carefully dig up the plant, ensuring you get a good root mass. Divide the plant into smaller sections, each with a healthy set of roots and shoots. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-tetraneuris-scaposa/

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