Golden Crownbeard
Verbesina encelioides
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guam, Haiti, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Turks-Caicos Is., U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States, Uruguay
Copyright by Curtis Clark, licensed as noted
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Verbesina
- Species:
- Verbesina encelioides
- USDA Symbol:
- VEEN
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
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
American sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electella), Basilodes chrysopis, Bina flower moth (Schinia bina), Schinia siren, Tischeria heteroterae, Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Diadasia enavata, ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Basilodes chrysopis Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia), Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Julia butterfly (Dione vanillae), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown and reseeds prolifically after fire disturbance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed areas and roadsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in warm soil temperatures.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).