Shrubby Butterweed is a woody sub-shrub native to much of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico that grows 1-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. It has attractive blue-green, needle-like leaves and showy one-inch yellow daisy flowers that bloom from July to November. While toxic, it is useful in dry native gardens for fall blooms, slope stabilization, and as excellent insect and bird habitat, especially for fall butterflies. It requires full sun to part shade, sandy or rocky soil, little water once established, and no fertilizer.

1. Shrubby Butterweed – Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii
(sen-EE-see-oh FLAS-i-dus DUG-las-ee-eye)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of Southwestern U.S. from CA to CO, TX and northwestern Mexico; common plant
in gravelly washes and dry creek beds, and along roads and trails in coastal sage scrub, chaparral
and S. Oak Woodlands, usually away from the coast.
woody sub-shrub
mature height: 1-3 ft.
mature width: 2-3 ft.
Small, many-branched rounded shrub, woody at the base but herbaceous above. Foliage finetextured, an attractive blue-green. Leaves have narrow, needle-like lobes and may be smooth or
hairy.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms July to November in lowlands of Los Angeles Co. Flowers are showy, oneinch yellow ‘daisy’ flowers on stems above the foliage. Seeds are wind-borne with fluffy hairs.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most useful as a fall-blooming shrub in dry native gardens. Also good for slope
stabilization/erosion control.
Would do fine in large post/planters.
animals and humans. Flowers produce a yellow dye.
Note: plant is toxic to
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubby sunflowers like Marguerites.
Attracts: Excellent insect and bird habitat. Particularly good as fall butterfly nectar plant.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part shade.
Any, but sandy or rocky soils preferred.
Little to no water once established (Zone 1/2)
none
Management:
Easy to grow.
Will re-seed on bare ground.
Propagation: from seed: direct sow outdoors in fall
by cuttings: probably, late spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16
12/15/10
© Project SOUND