Spanish-daisy, Bitterweed
Helenium amarum
Asteraceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower garden.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and central Florida.
Description:
Annual herb up to 20 inches tall with threadlike leaves and small yellow flowers.
Height:
Up to 20 inches in height.
Growth Rate:
Range:
Southern United States through Florida except Lafayette, Sumter, Orange, Hardee, St. Lucie, Glades, Hendry, and Monroe counties.
Habitats:
Disturbed sites.
Soils:
Moist to dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
Yellow.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Spring-Fall
Fruit:
Wildlife and Ecology:
Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. Provides seeds and insects for birds.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
Horses and mules have been poisoned by eating Spanish-daisy. We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.


Sarah Martin, 2015