Bowlesia incana
hoary bowlesia
Americas (southern United States to South America)
Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
SunPart Shade – Full Shade
WaterMedium
Overview
Bowlesia incana is a low-growing annual herb in the carrot family (Apiaceae) with slender, trailing or weakly climbing stems that spread 4-24 inches (10-60 cm) across the ground. The whole plant is covered in minute star-shaped (stellate) hairs that give the foliage a grayish, hoary cast and a slightly rough feel. In contrast to most members of the family, the leaves are opposite rather than alternate; each blade is rounded to kidney-shaped, 0.2-1 inch (0.5-2.5 cm) wide, and palmately cut into 5-7 shallow lobes. Small flowers form in compact, few-flowered umbels set in the leaf axils, with petals white to pale greenish and under 0.04 inch (1 mm) long. The fruit is a rounded schizocarp clothed in stellate hairs and short scales. A slender taproot supports the trailing stems. The plant germinates in cool, moist conditions, completes its cycle in one season, and dies back after setting seed. Its weak, sprawling habit and tolerance for shade separate it from the erect umbellifers of open, sunny ground nearby.
Native Range
Bowlesia incana is native to the Americas, occurring from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America into much of South America. It also appears as an introduced plant in parts of the Old World. Within North America it is most frequent across the southern and southeastern states.Suggested Uses
This species is not cultivated and is met with as a weed of shaded gardens, woodland edges, and disturbed ground. In a reference setting it illustrates the opposite-leaved, stellate-hairy growth form within Apiaceae. It has limited recorded ethnobotanical use.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 8"
Width/Spread6" - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs chiefly in spring, beginning as early as late winter in mild regions and extending into early summer. The minute axillary umbels are easy to overlook and are soon replaced by small, bristly fruits. Plants set seed quickly and then wither as conditions dry.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale greenFoliage Description
grayish-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs