Camphorweed

Heterotheca subaxillaris

Camphorweed is a bright yellow flower that grows in sunny places. It has long, narrow leaves and can be found in fields and along roadsides. Its cheerful flowers attract butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Camphorweed is a tall, upright plant with many branching stems covered in small, sticky hairs. It has bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with many petals, clustered at the ends of its branches, and lance-shaped green leaves.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusHeterotheca

Photo: M ath K nightCC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Camphorweed

Interesting facts

Wow! Camphorweed's tiny seeds can stay active in the soil for years, waiting for the perfect time to sprout!

Wow! Each bright yellow flower is actually made up of many tiny, individual flowers grouped together!

Wow! Its strong scent comes from special oils, just like the camphor used in VapoRub!

Wow! This tough plant loves to grow where others struggle, like roadsides and sandy beaches!

Special abilities

Camphorweed has sticky, glandular hairs that trap small insects, helping it defend against pesky plant-eaters.

Its leaves produce a strong camphor-like oil that deters most hungry herbivores from taking a bite.

Camphorweed can thrive in disturbed, poor, and sandy soils where many other plants struggle to grow.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-150 cm
Spread: 30-90 cm
Flower Size: 1-2.5 cm
Bloom Season: Late Summer to Fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.

Pollinates

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Visits flowers for nectar.

Pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

Collects pollen and nectar.

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Grassland

Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Camphorweed?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Camphorweed?

30-150 cm

How wide does Camphorweed spread?

30-90 cm

How big are the flowers on Camphorweed?

1-2.5 cm

When does Camphorweed bloom?

Late Summer to Fall

Is Camphorweed edible?

Is Camphorweed toxic?

Mild

What is Camphorweed's lifecycle?