Blackroot

Pterocaulon pycnostachyum

tear-oh-CALL-on   pick-no-STAKE-ee-um

Asteraceae

Native to:  Florida native

Florida abundance and distribution: Throughout Florida, grows best in well drained soil, often in sandy places and in pine woods, cannot tolerate salt, can survive to 10° F. Flowers both in spring and fall.

Recognition: Perennial 1-2’ tall, alone or in small populations, with stiff erect stem(s) pale and covered with soft hairs. Leaf blades with a white mid-vein, having a decurrent base giving the stem a winged aspect.  Small, white flower heads, without ray flowers, in a cylindric spike, may be tinted pink to purple at the tips.

Other: The root stores coumarin, which is poisonous to humans. Self-propagates by seed

Contributed by: Carolyn Hendry