Asteraceae: Dyssodia papposa
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Family Name
Asteraceae
Common Name
Fetid marigold
Native American Name
Lakota: pispíza tȟawóte
Description
Dyssodia papposa is an erect to spreading, diffusely branching, annual herb,10-50 cm tall. The leaves are opposite near the base and alternate above, 1.5-5 cm long, pinnately parted and irregularly dotted with oil glands. The inflorescence consists of solitary heads arising singly from leaf axils and at the tips of branches heads, on very short peduncles, surrounded by a cylindrical to bell-shaped involucre, 6-10 mm long, with 6-12 principle bracts, free with several oil glands and several greenish orange to purplish shorter inside bracts. There are 8 or fewer ray yellow flowers with short ligules surrounding few to many dull yellow disk flowers. The fruit are stout, hairy achenes, 3-3.5 mm long with a pappus of about 20 scales, each with 5-10 bristles on the upper section. Fetid marigold blooms from July into September in open fields and disturbed areas of southern and western South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed collection: Collect the achenes after they turn brown in the fall.
Germination: The seeds will do well if fall sown, but many will germinate if planted early in the spring.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Well drained sands to light clays.
Water: Medium dry to dry.
Additional Notes
Fetid marigold is a fragrant native plant with wispy stems and numerous beautiful little yellow blossoms. It has a very strong wild herb fragrance that attracts pollinators including many native bees and butterflies. It is an annual but readily reseeds itself year after year.