Esteve's Pincushion
Chaenactis stevioides
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © newt77 (iNaturalist #21368016)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Chaenactis
- Species:
- Chaenactis stevioides
- USDA Symbol:
- CHST
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata), Dasychira grisefacta, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Isoparce cupressi, Northern Pine Tussock Moth (Dasychira plagiata), Pine Hypagyrtis Moth (Hypagyrtis piniata), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in arid desert regions.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with light and warm temperatures; no pretreatment required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI