plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Pterocaulon pycnostachyum

Blackroot, Wingstem, Densespike Blackroot, Fox-tail, Coastal Blackroot

Scientific Name:

Pterocaulon pycnostachyum

Genus:

Pterocaulon

Species Epithet:

pycnostachyum

Common Name:

Blackroot, Wingstem, Densespike Blackroot, Fox-tail, Coastal Blackroot

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

May, June

Growing Area:

Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

“Sandhills, dry pinelands, pine flatwoods (Weakley 2015). Common in NC Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Not available in retail. Everlasting Bud Moth caterpillars eat the flowers. Nectar source for the Gray Hairstreak, Whirlabout Skipper and the Zebra Swallowtail butterflies.

In bloom

Blackroot is easily recognized by its winged stem and dense flower spike.

image

Paynter, Carolina Beach State Park, August 2012

Distinctive leaves and stem

image

Paynter, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Brunswick Co, mid-May, 2012

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial p Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums