Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

rose-rush

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Lygodesmia aphylla

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1.0 to 3.0 ft tall by .5 to .75 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink,lavender, white

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Considerations:

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Seeds are easily collected by bagging the flower heads once they have wilted, then wait till the seed pod dries up. Once white silky pappus appear, the seed head can be removed from the plant and are ready to plant.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

6.1 to 7.8

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Attract a wide variety of insect pollinators.  One documented bee pollinator is  Augochlorella aurata (Deyrup et al. 2002). 

Native Habitats:

Dry sandy soils, flatwoods, pine barrens, sandhill, scrub, and disturbed areas

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The short lived bloom opens before sunrise and is most beautiful from just before dawn till about mid-morning when it fully opens. By night fall it will have wilted.