Hoary blackfoot is a herbaceous perennial or subshrub native to Texas. Arkansas, and Colorado where it grows in open sites on sand, gravel, loam, or clay limstone soils. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. Plants grow 4-8″ tall and have linear-oblong leaves that are pinnately lobed. The daisy-like flower heads are up to 1′ across and appear from winter through spring. They have 7-13 cream colored ray flowers around of center of 25-50 yellow disc flowers. Plants are drought tolerant and a good choice for a xeric garden. The genus name, Melapodium, may come from the Greek words melas meaning black and podion meaning foot and refers to the color of the stem base and root. The common name, blackfoot, is a translation of the botanic generic name. Another the theory about the etymology is that it comes from the thame of the mythological Greek southsayer, Melampus. The specific epithet, cinereum, is the Latin word meaning like ashes and refers to the color of hairs on the leaves.
Type: Herbaceous perennial or subshrub
Bloom: Daisy like flower heads with white rays and a yellow disc
Size: 4-8″ H x 4-8″ W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Average, dry, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 9-11
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: Root rot in poorly drained soil
Propagation: Seed
Companion Plants: Agave, Mexican poppy, flapjack, aloe
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen Meyers