Verbesina encelioides
Cowpen Daisy is a sun-loving native annual featuring velvety, silver-green foliage and multi-rayed golden flower heads. Rapidly establishing in exposed soils, sunny pastures, and disturbed clearings, it plays a vital ecological pioneer role by stabilizing soil and accumulating nutrients. Blooming heavily from early summer into late autumn, it serves as a primary nectar fuel station for autumn-migrating Monarch butterflies and acts as an indispensable larval host plant for the Bordered Patch butterfly (Chlosyne lacinia), whose gregarious caterpillars feed on its leaves.
Height: 1-3 ft.
Spread: 2-5 ft.
Foliage: Deciduous
Growth Rate: Moderate
Water Need: Low
Sun Need: Part Sun, Full Sun
Substrate / Soil: Limestone, Loam, Gravelly
Bloom Season: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
This species serves as an essential host plant for caterpillar larvae of: Bordered Patch Butterfly, Silvery Checkerspot.
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