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Purple Sow Thistle Emilia

Phonetic Spelling
ih-MEE-lee-uh
Description

Emilia sonchifolia and Emilia fosbergii are two plants in the genus Emilia that are referred to as tasselflower.   They are distinguished from each other by the flowers and leaves. While both have a dark green upper leaf and a lighter green underside Emilia sonchifolia's lower leaves are rounded to kidney shaped, while its upper leaves have a narrow/oval shape. The leaves can grow up to 6" long.  The leaves of Emilia fosbergii are smaller, growing up to 4" long, and have a narrow oval shape.

Flowers on Emilia sonchifolia are flat-topped, while the flowers of Emilia fosbergii are bell-shaped.  

They can be found growing in a variety of soil types in pastures, along roads, the edges of forests and unfortunately in nurseries, greenhouses and other disturbed sites, which in turn can spread to your garden.  Each plant can produce in excess of 5,000 seeds.

Tassel-flower is an annual or perennial plant in the Asteraceae (daisy) family native to Africa and Asia that has naturalized in North America and other tropical locations.  Upright stems are sparsely branched and dotted with red, pink or lavender flowers that resemble tassels, hence the common name. Some varieties can be quite weedy.

Stems of young plants are distinctively hairy, but they lose hairs with age. Seed heads are small (1/2 inch or less in diameter) dandelion-like globes of wind-dispersed seed. 

Plant in the front of the border in well-drained soil in full sun. They are tolerant of heat and humidity and the flowers are long-lasting and give an airy appearance. They can be grown in containers and make good cut flowers

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Some are weedy and can be difficult to manage.  

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#pink flowers#red flowers#high maintenance#fast growing#summer flowers#lavender flowers#wind dispersed seeds#border planting#cutting garden#annual weed#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#weed#butterfly garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#pink flowers#red flowers#high maintenance#fast growing#summer flowers#lavender flowers#wind dispersed seeds#border planting#cutting garden#annual weed#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#weed#butterfly garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Emilia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used medicinally in India
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    India, China and Southeast Asia.
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edibility:
    The leaves can be used in salads
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    White
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Achene with fine bristled papus, or hairs that are disbursed by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Dome
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Red, pink, or light purple flowers with upright narrow petals giving them a fringed look. Plants flower in summer and then die after frost.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves of all three common species have toothed margins that resemble sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.). Plants initially form a rosette of leaves then upright stems elongate. Leaves at the base are broad with toothed margins and have winged petioles, while leaves on the flower stalk clasp the stem with no petioles. Leaves on the flower stalk have toothed margins and taper to a point.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Wiry, curvy, thin stems, multi-branched. The branches are purplish-green.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Weedy