Carried by 3 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Heterotheca grandiflora is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Telegraph Weed. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, but it can be found in other areas as an introduced species, such as Hawaii. In California it is widespread from Butte County southward. It is a pioneer species and roadside weed even where it is native. This is a tall, bristly, hairy plant exceeding a meter in height and densely foliated in hairy to spiny toothed or lobed leaves. Leaves are smaller and more widely spaced toward the top of the stem, which is occupied by an flower cluster of bright yellow daisylike flower heads. The disc and ray florets drop away to leave a spherical head of achenes, each with a long white pappus. This plant is rarely used in the garden but is a useful for restoration projects.
Annual herb, Perennial herb
2 - 4 ft Tall
2 ft Wide
Upright
Fast
Summer Deciduous
Yellow
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Full Sun
Very Low
Never irrigate once established
Tolerates cold to 15° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Not particular as to soil.
Soil PH: 5.1 - 8.2
7, 8, 9*, 10, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Disturbed places, dry streams, dunes
Foothill Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub, Southern Oak Woodland
Can be used with virtually any native plants
Butterflies and moths supported
1 confirmed and 10 likely
Gabb's Checkerspot
Chlosyne gabbii
Tobacco Budworm Moth
Chloridea virescens
Bordered Patch
Chlosyne lacinia