Guayule
Parthenium argentatum
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
johnyochum (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Parthenium
- Species:
- Parthenium argentatum
- USDA Symbol:
- PAAR5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), Spotted Straw Moth (Heliothis phloxiphaga), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from woody crown after fire or mechanical damage; adapted to periodic disturbance in Chihuahuan Desert scrubland.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 7.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid regions, tolerates drought
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment at warm temperatures (20-30°C).
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI