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Carphephorus corymbosus

coastalplain chaffhead

Asteraceae Southeastern United States

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Carphephorus corymbosus is a herbaceous perennial in the aster family that grows 16–36 inches (40–90 cm) tall and 10–18 inches (25–45 cm) wide from a woody rootstock. A basal rosette of oblong leaves 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long persists through the year, while the erect flowering stem carries smaller, stalkless leaves that clasp upward. From August to November the stem ends in a broad, flat-topped cluster of rose-purple to lavender flower heads, each head 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across and composed only of disc florets, without ray petals. The clustered heads draw butterflies, bees, and other late-season pollinators. The plant grows in well-drained sandy soils of pine flatwoods, sandhills, and scrub in the southeastern coastal plain, and depends on periodic fire to reduce shading by shrubs and maintain open habitat. After bloom the stems set wind-dispersed seed and die back, while the basal rosette persists. It tolerates drought and poor sandy soils but does not grow in wet, shaded, or heavily fertilized sites.

Native Range

Native to the southeastern United States, from South Carolina and Georgia south through Florida, in fire-maintained pine flatwoods, sandhills, and scrub. It grows on dry, sandy, well-drained soils of the coastal plain.

Suggested Uses

Carphephorus corymbosus is used in native pollinator gardens, restored pine flatwoods, and dry meadow plantings on sandy soils. Its late flowers supply nectar for migrating butterflies and other pollinators. It suits open, sunny, low-water sites in the southeastern coastal plain.

How to Identify

Identify Carphephorus corymbosus by its persistent basal rosette of oblong leaves 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long and its broad, flat-topped clusters of rose-purple flower heads in late summer and autumn. Each head is 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across and lacks ray petals, holding only disc florets. The flat-topped cluster and clasping stem leaves separate it from the related Liatris spp., which carries flowers in narrow spikes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'4" - 3'

Width/Spread10" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Fall

Rose-purple flower heads open from August to November, peaking in September and October. The flat-topped clusters hold dozens of small disc-flower heads at once and draw late-season butterflies and bees. Seed ripens on white pappus and disperses by wind as the stems dry.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

rose-purple to lavender

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 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 Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years from seed to flowering

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Carphephorus corymbosus grows in full sun on dry, sandy, well-drained soils and tolerates poor, low-nutrient ground. It needs little supplemental water once established and withstands extended drought. In the wild it depends on periodic fire to keep its habitat open, and in gardens it grows in open, sunny sites without heavy mulch. Seed germinates after a period of warm, moist conditions and seedlings develop a basal rosette in their first year. The plant declines in shade, rich soil, or wet ground. The basal rosette persists through winter and resends flowering stems the following summer.

Pruning

Carphephorus corymbosus needs little pruning. Spent flowering stems can be cut back after seed disperses, or left standing for birds and winter structure. The persistent basal rosette is left in place through winter.