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Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

Wedelia texana (Gray) B.L. Turner

Hairy wedelia, Zexmenia, Orange zexmenia, Wedelia, Texas creeping-oxeye

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Zexmenia hispida, Wedelia hispida

USDA Symbol: WETE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Texas creeping-oxeye or wedelia is a small shrub, from 8 in. to 3 ft. tall, woody at the base and herbaceous in the leafy parts. Woody branches send down roots and gradually increase the plants circumference. Upper stems covered with stiff appressed hairs and rough to the touch. Rough-hairy, gray-green foliage. Leaves rough on both surfaces, varying in shape from lobed in the basal half on either or both sides to narrow and unlobed, with margins weakly toothed or untoothed. Flowers minute, in showy heads with yellow to orange rays appearing on petals of a single flower, on long stems (peduncles) extending vertically above the leaves. Daisy-like flowers which literally cover the plant from summer to frost.

Woody-stemmed and evergreen in the southern part of its range, this plant dies to the ground farther north. It is long-lived and non-aggressive.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande plains, Trans-Pecos & n.e. Mex.
Native Habitat: Fields & wood borders, Abundant on Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande Plains, less frequent in the Trans-Pecos and Southeast and North Central Texas. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, limestone.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Zexmenia is long-lived, drought-tolerant, non-aggressive, and easy to grow. Excess water or shade can make it leggy; cut it back periodically. Woody-stemmed and evergreen in the southern part of its range, wedelia dies to the ground farther north.
Texas comments: Zexmenia is long-lived, drought-tolerant, non-aggressive and easy to grow. Woody-stemmed and evergreen in the southern part of its range, it dies to the ground farther north. Excess water or shade can make it leggy. It can be cut back periodically to keep it looking fresh.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Bordered Patch, Sierran Metalmark, Lacinia Patch butterfly
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Wedelia texana is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Bordered Patch
(Chlosyne lacinia)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Use fresh seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, or layers for propagation.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I'm trying to locate seeds or plants of Viguiera Dentata, but have been unsuccessful. With the poliferation of these beautiful flowers this fall, I don't understand why I can't locate them. Do you have any suggestions as to where I might find them? Thanks!
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Question: I have a steep, dry hillside measuring approximately 4 feet high by six feet wide. I want to plant low growing, evergreen, flowering plants across the bed that will flower as long as possible, and thrive in the given conditions. I live in Austin. The hillside receives part to full sun. There is irrigation for water. At the top of the bed there is yellow nandina, a crepe myrtle and rosemary shrubs. Do you have any suggestions, please?
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Question: What are the best plants and flowers to plant in small spaces in an urban area in Houston, Texas? I have several flower beds that are 3 foot wide and 10-12 foot long that get half day sun. The areas would be watered every other day for 5 to 10 minutes.
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Question: Good day, I am searching for a list of native Texas flowers (preferably perennials) for a flower garden. Thank you.
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From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. 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 Wedelia texana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Wedelia texana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Wedelia texana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-06-13
Research By: LAL, GAP

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