Conoclinium betonicifolium
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Slightly woody perennial with usually reclining stems to 1 m long, the lower nodes commonly rooted. Leaves more or less oblong, 2-4 cm long, opposite, succulent, margins toothed. Heads in corymbs, 6-9 mm high, discoid. Corolla light blue-violet. Involucres obconic (inverted cone). Stems root where they touch ground.
Plant Trivia: Species of Chromolaena, Conoclinium, Fleischmannia, and Tamaulipa were fairly recently included in the single genus Eupatorium. “Mistflowers” are a tricky bunch of species bearing overlapping names, hybridize readily and are generally troublesome. Using leaf and plant structure are easiest criteria, then flower color and size.
Field Identification: Succulent leaves, with the blade length more than 2X width separate this species from similar species.
Occurrence: Frequent on damp sands in depressions and swales of the barrier islands and along the mainland coast.
Bloom Period: April – December
Plant Use: Attractive for coastal landscaping. Important nectar plant. Host plant to rounded metalmark butterfly.
Key to species of Conoclinium:
- Leaves oblong, mostly 2-3 times as long as broad……..C. betonicifolium
Leaves triangular, mostly less than 2X width…………………….C. coelestinum
stxflora 