Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Frostweed

Verbesina microptera

Other common name(s):

Mexican Crown Beard, Texas Crownbeard, Capitana

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, Southern Texas Plains
Coastal Sand Plain, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
6
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Dry, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Suitable for xeriscaping. Dry stalks can be cut back or left for insects to hibernate in winter. A hard frost causes a white foamy, frosty substance to emerge from the stems. Native habitat: woods and pastures.

Description

Blooms May-December. A tall upright plant. Leaves are variable and can be triangular, lance shaped, or oval with serrated margins. Flowers are clustered in flat topped arrangements. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Verbesina microptera var. mollissima, Verbesina texana

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Start your seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Use a seed starting mix or a blend of potting soil and vermiculite. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep into the seed starting mix and keep the soil consistently moist. They should germinate within 10-14 days at a temperature of 70-75°F. Once seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, gradually introduce them to outdoor conditions. This process, called hardening off, will help them adjust to the sun and wind before transplanting. Once the threat of frost has passed, transplant your seedlings into well-drained soil in a sunny location. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-verbesina-microptera/
Stem Cutting Cut a section of stem with 2-3 nodes, removing the leaves from the bottom node. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and place it in a pot filled with rooting mix, such as perlite, vermiculite, or a mixture of both. Water the rooting mix regularly and keep the cutting in a bright but indirect light location. Roots should develop within 4-6 weeks. Once the cutting has formed a strong root system, transplant it into a larger pot or directly into the garden. Take cuttings in spring or summer when the plant i s actively growing. Choose healthy, non-flowering stems with several nodes (the bumps on the stem where leaves grow). https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-verbesina-microptera/
Bud Division Use a sharp knife or shovel to divide the plant into sections, ensuring each section has healthy roots and stems. Plant the divisions in well-prepared soil, spacing them according to their mature size. Water them generously and provide regular care. Carefully dig up the plant, making sure to disturb the roots as little as possible. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-verbesina-microptera/

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