Santa Maria Feverfew
Parthenium hysterophorus
- Native to:
- Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., Uruguay, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
Ethel Aardvark
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Parthenium
- Species:
- Parthenium hysterophorus
- USDA Symbol:
- PAHY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Host Plant for Caterpillars
asthenaria moth (Pleuroprucha asthenaria), blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), clearwing borer (Carmenta ithacae), common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata or nr.), Common Pinkband (Ogdoconta cinereola), common tan wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria), Eupithecia pr. miserulata, garden webworm moth (Achyra rantalis), Hypomecis nr. umbrosaria, Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota rostrana), Platynota nigrocervina, Rachiplusia ou, Ragweed Borer Moth (Epiblema strenuana), southern emerald (Synchlora frondaria), Soybean Looper (Pseudoplusia includens), Sutor moth (Condica sutor), Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire or mowing; disturbance promotes spread.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed soils and open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; light enhances germination. Seeds remain viable in soil for several years.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI