American dogweed (Verbesina encelioides, Bot. California 1: 350 (1876))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (Cav.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex A.Gray

Bibliography: Bot. California 1: 350 (1876)

Year: 1876

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Verbesina

Vegetable: False

Observations: U.S.A. to Mexico, Caribbean, Ecuador to S. South America

Description

American dogweed, scientifically known as Verbesina encelioides, is a notable member of the Asteraceae family. This resilient and adaptable species can be found across a diverse range of habitats, stretching from the United States down to Mexico, the Caribbean, and even reaching as far south as Ecuador and southern regions of South America.

First documented in 1876 in the authoritative work Botany of California, Verbesina encelioides was described by notable botanists (Cav.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex A.Gray. The plant’s broad distribution is a testament to its hardiness, thriving in various climates and environments throughout its extensive range.

American dogweed typically exhibits vibrant yellow flowers, which are characteristic of many Asteraceae species. These flowers not only contribute to the plant’s aesthetic appeal but also play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems by providing nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

As a species, Verbesina encelioides demonstrates significant ecological versatility. It is commonly found in disturbed soils, roadsides, and open fields, often thriving where other plants may struggle. This adaptability can make it an incredibly valuable species for ecological restoration projects, especially in areas requiring soil stabilization and improvement.

Despite its widespread occurrence and resilience, it is essential to monitor and manage the growth of American dogweed, particularly in regions where it may exhibit invasive tendencies. Proper understanding and management strategies are crucial to ensuring that this robust plant benefits, rather than harms, local biodiversity and ecosystems.

In conclusion, Verbesina encelioides, or American dogweed, is a fascinating and resilient plant species within the Asteraceae family. Its extensive range across the Americas and its adaptability make it an important subject for botanists and ecologists alike, contributing both to our natural heritage and to ecological balance in the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Eng: american dogweed, golden crownbeard, south african daisy, butter daisy, crown-beard, golden crown-beard, wild sunflower
Heb: cnafon zahov, כנפון זהוב
Deu: enzeliaähnliche verbesine, goldener kronbart
Spa: girasolillo
Swe: verbesina
En: American dogweed, Golden crownbeard, South African daisy, Butter daisy, Crown-beard, Golden crown-beard, Wild sunflower
De: Enzeliaähnliche Verbesine, Goldener Kronbart, Verbesine
He: Cnafon zahov, כנפון זהוב
Es: Girasolillo
Sv: Verbesina

Synonyms

• Ximenesia encelioides (Cav.)
• Ximenesia australis (Hook. & Arn. ex DC.)
• Verbesina australis (Baker)
• Ximenesia exauriculata ((B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) Rydb.)
• Ximenesia encelioides var. exauriculata ((B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) Mohlenbr.)
• Pallasia serratifolia (Sm.)
• Verbesina encelioides var. cana (B.L.Rob. & Greenm.)
• Encelia albescens (A.Gray)
• Ximenesia microptera (DC.)
• Verbesina encelioides subsp. exauriculata ((B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) J.R.Coleman)
• Verbesina encelioides var. exauriculata (B.L.Rob. & Greenm.)
• Verbesina microptera ((DC.) Herter)
• Verbesina exauriculata ((B.L.Rob. & Greenm.) Cockerell)
• Ximenesia encelioides var. pachyptera (DC.)
• Verbesina scabra (Benth.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• California (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Utah (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Sinai (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 20, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Vit Tim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2022 by Jaime Sabrina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 7, 2021 by Himanshi Sharma (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Nim KARIM (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3147913)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30147294-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex A.Gray)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.5

Ph minimum: 6.4

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 7