Texas Blueweed

Helianthus ciliaris D.C.

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

▲ young sprouts from creeping roots, with uprooted plant showing creeping roots in center

▲ closer view of creeping roots

▲ ▼ young plants emerging from creeping roots

▲ young plant before flowering

▲ ▼ mature flowering plants

▲ inflorescence closer view, showing bud on lower left

▲ shoots after flowering, showing dried, dark brown persistent inflorescences

Helianthus ciliaris DC., Texas Blueweed: (Bayer Code: HELCI; US Code HECI)

A U.S. native, creeping perennial with deep creeping roots that grows 6-24 inches tall; stems unbranched except in upper portions when flowering commences; stems and leaves blue-green to gray-green and are covered with short, stiff hairs
Leaves are blue-green to gray-green, opposite, linear to lanceolate; leaf margins are smooth, or with a few teeth or outspread hairs; leaf margins often wavy
Head inflorescences are 1-2 inches in diameter, produced at stem with 10-18 yellow ray florets (“petals") that are puckered at their bases, and 35 or more reddish-brown disk flowers that form a hemispherical shape in the center; flowers appear similar to a miniature marigold or sunflower
Bracts below the inflorescence are in several rows, lanceolate or ovate with elongated, pointed tips that stand out from the base of the head
Flowering from mid-summer through autumn
Is quite invasive in reduced tillage row crops as well as being unpalatable to livestock; can reproduce and spread rapidly, even in very dry conditions
- One of the few native sunflowers that is considered to be a serious weed
Prefers dry, sandy infertile soils

(Updated January 21, 2021)