Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: David Roddenberry

Nomenclature

Common Name:

zigzag silk-grass, zigzag silkgrass

Synonym(s):

Chrysopsis flexuosa, Heterotheca flexuosa

Genus species:

Pityopsis flexuosa

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1.5 to 1.75 ft.  

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms August-October.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower meadow. Foliage can be attractive year-round as it is silvery-gray green. Also suitable for naturalizing assuming plenty of light and minimal competition. The plants will spread locally.

Considerations:

Can cut back after flowering to keep it neat.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed, division.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Unknown

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies

Attracts bees and butterflies. 

Native Habitats:

Sandhills and dry disturbed areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Minimize competition especially if it is over-topping the Pityopsis.



Endemic to the Florida Panhandle in a 6-county area near Tallahassee.  



Listed as Endagered by the FDACS.