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Trilisa Carphephorus paniculatus

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Trilisa paniculata
Phonetic Spelling
kar-feh-FOR-us pan-ick-yoo-LAY-tus
Description

Hairy Chaffhead is a native wildflower, herbaceous perennial in the aster family.  It is typically found in meadows and flat wooded areas from North Carolina south to Florida and is fairly common in the southeastern coastal counties of North Carolina, but uncommon to the west and inland to the Sandhills.  It has a single, densely hairy, stem from which it derives its common name and is a rapid grower, reaching its mature height of 3, and sometimes 6, feet through the spring into the summer. The Latin name refers to the arrangement of the flowers as a panicle on the flowering stalk which is unique in this genus.

Hairy Chaffhead grows best in moderate to fine textured moist soil, full sun, and requires a minimum of a 110 frost free days from when seeds are planted. It is not drought tolerant.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#NC native#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#flowers early summer#Audubon#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#NC native#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#flowers early summer#Audubon#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Carphephorus
    Species:
    paniculatus
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees and other pollinators.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blooms from early summer into the fall and winter. Individual flowers are small, but the sheer number of blooms makes for an impressive display where large colonies occur.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate basal veined leaves that are retained in the fall and winter.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators