Native Plant Database

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Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Packera glabella (Poir) C. Jeffrey

Butterweed, Cress-leaf groundsel, Yellowtop

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Senecio glabellus

USDA Symbol: PAGL17

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An upright, smooth, succulent annual, 18-20 in. high. Stout stems may be branched or unbranched and are topped by a large, cluster of yellow, daisy-like flowers. Interesting leaves are deeply-divided in rounded segments or lobes and become smaller toward the upper portion of the plant. Usually forms large colonies in the moist-to-wet habitat it prefers.

Though an annual, Packera glabella usually seeds out so densely that it achieves the same groundcover effect as many of the perennial Packera species. Unlike some of those better known perennials, this species can bloom in either sun or shade, as long as it is situated in a moist site. The leaves emerge in the fall and add low winter green to the landscape. Blooms are profuse, filling its colonies with yellow throughout the spring months.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MS , MO , NE , NC , OH , OK , SC , SD , TN , TX
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: Ontario, NC, OH, s. IL, MO, s.w. IA & s.e. NE, s. to FL, TX & e. KS
Native Habitat: Damp, open woods; swampy grasslands
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN (W)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, alluvial soils.
Conditions Comments: As long as soil is at least moist, can grow in shade or sun.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Provides dense, yellow, spring blooms to wet sites throughout its range.
Use Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Allow to self-sow for continuous populations each year.
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Bibliography

Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Packera glabella in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Packera glabella in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Packera glabella

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-28
Research By: TWC Staff

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