Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (pale Indian plantain)

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Arnoglossum atriplicifolium

pale Indian plantain

Asteraceae Central and eastern United States

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Arnoglossum atriplicifolium is a tall herbaceous perennial in the aster family, with smooth, often whitish-coated stems 3-9 feet (0.9-2.7 m) tall rising from a fibrous-rooted crown. The lower leaves are large, broadly triangular to fan-shaped with coarse angular lobes, 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) wide, green above and pale, whitish, and waxy beneath. The upper leaves are smaller. Flat-topped to dome-shaped clusters of small cream to greenish-white flower heads, each holding about five rayless florets, open from midsummer into fall. The fruit is a small seed with a tuft of white bristles. It grows in prairies, open woods, glades, and roadside thickets across the central and eastern United States. The tall stems can lean in rich soil or wind, and the plant takes up considerable space, so it suits the back of large plantings rather than small beds.

Native Range

Arnoglossum atriplicifolium is native to the central and eastern United States, from the Great Lakes and Northeast south to the Gulf states. It grows in prairies, open woods, glades, and along roadsides.

Suggested Uses

Used at the back of native borders, in prairie and meadow plantings, and in pollinator gardens with room for its height. The late-summer flowers draw bees, wasps, and other insects. Space plants 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart in full sun to part shade.

How to Identify

Recognize Arnoglossum atriplicifolium by its tall, smooth, often whitish-coated stems and large, broadly triangular, angularly lobed lower leaves that are pale and waxy underneath. In late summer it bears flat-topped clusters of small cream to greenish-white rayless flower heads. The pale leaf undersides and rayless heads are key features.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 9'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer Fall

Flat-topped clusters of small cream to greenish-white flower heads open from midsummer into fall, generally July to September. Bloom lasts about 3-5 weeks. Seeds with white bristles follow and are carried on the wind.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to greenish-white

Foliage Description

green above, pale waxy beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in average to moist, well-drained soil with a pH near 5.5-7.5. It tolerates a range of soils, from clay to loam, and average garden moisture, but the tall stems lean in rich soil, heavy shade, or exposed wind. Established plants tolerate short dry spells. No routine feeding is needed. It self-sows where the ground is open and forms slowly expanding clumps from the crown.

Pruning

Cut the stems to the ground in late fall or winter after the foliage dies back. Removing seed heads before they ripen limits self-sowing. Cutting plants back in late spring reduces height and leaning but delays bloom.

Pruning Schedule

fallwinter