Wild Quinine
Parthenium integrifolium
Image by Sally and Andy Waskowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Summary
This unusual native features dense clusters of bright white, long blooming flowers which have a soft, fuzzy appearance. Very hardy and long-lived, its vigorous growth habit makes it a good choice for naturalized plantings, even in the most challenging conditions.
More Details
FAMILY
Asteraceae (Aster)
BLOOM TIME
July-August
FLOWER
white
MATURE SIZE
2-3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Sun to part shade
SOIL CONDITIONS
Medium to dry, drought tolerant
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Wild quinine is especially valuable for its support of native bees, attracting sweat bees (Halictus, Lassioglossum, and Agapostemon), mining bees (Andrena), small carpenter bees (Ceratina) and yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus) just to name a few. Wild quinine is also a fly favorite, attracting soldier, syrphid, and tachnid flies Unlike the common housefly, these flies are both pollinators and predators–in their larval form, many of these flies are valuable pest-eating insects.