Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © kjanicki93 (iNaturalist #45872550)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Eriophyllum
- Species:
- Eriophyllum lanatum
- USDA Symbol:
- ERLA6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix sabulella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla), Snowberry Checkerspot (Euphydryas colon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, beneficial insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; commonly found in fire-prone grassland and oak woodland habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky, open slopes and hillsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination; surface sow and do not cover seed deeply.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold, moist stratification for 90 days. Seed stored at room temperature remains viable after 8 years but germination decreases sharply after 2 years.
Establishment: Better above and below ground growth may be obtained by planting in native soil (e.g. loam) rather than potting soil. This species may flower within the first year under good growing conditions. Some seed germinated while in stratification, indicating germination will occur at low temperatures.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 4°C. * poor germination