Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: wild quinine
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Eastern United States to Wisconsin and Arkansas
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to August
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Good Cut, Good Dried
Leaf: Fragrant
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Parthenium integrifolium, commonly called American feverfew or wild quinine, is a clump-forming, Missouri native perennial which occurs in dry soils on prairies, glades and rocky woods. Grows 3-4' tall. Woolly-looking, white flower heads, each with 5 tiny ray flowers (1/12" long), appear in broad, flat-topped, terminal corymbs from late spring to late summer. Leaves are glandular and aromatic with a rough texture to both surfaces. The leaf margins are toothed and mostly entire, although some may exhibit coarse lobes at the base. Long-petioled basal leaves are much larger than cauline leaves (leaves on the stem).
The genus name Parthenium comes from the Greek meaning "virgin", in reference to the fertile ray florets and infertile disk florets of species in this genus.
The specific epithet integrifolium means "with entire or uncut leaves".
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Best in native plant, wild or cottage gardens or as part of a naturalized, meadow or prairie planting. Can be used in borders, but is minimally ornamental.