NC State Extension
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium catesbaei
Trillium erectum
Viola canadensis

Trilisa paniculata

Previously known as:

  • carphephorus paniculatus
Phonetic Spelling
kar-feh-FOR-us pan-ick-yoo-LAY-tus
Description

Hairy chaffhead is a native wildflower, herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae).  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. The specific epithet is Latin, referring to the arrangement of the flowers. 

Hairy chaffhead grows quickly to a height of 1 to 4 feet and can form large colonies. It grows best in moist to wet sandy soils in full to partial sun. Propagation is from seed or division.

The showy dense clusters of pinkish to purplish flowers appear in summer to fall and provide nectar to pollinators. The basal leaves are up to 6 inches long, with much smaller, sessile leaves ascending the stem. 

Use hairy chafhead along streams or ponds, in naturalized areas or in a butterfly garden.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:   No significant problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#flowers early summer#Audubon#full sun#butterfly garden#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#flowers early summer#Audubon#full sun#butterfly garden#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Trilisa
    Species:
    paniculata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    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.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • 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
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • 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. They are disc flowers with no rays and pinkish to purplish in color.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The basal rosette of oblong to elliptical leaves that vary in length from 1 to 8 inches with a whitish midrib. Stem leaves are significantly smaller, lanceolate and sessile.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems and flower stalks are reddish-purple, covered in hairs and sticky to the touch.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators