Geraea spp.

desert sunflower

Asteraceae

Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

Overview

Geraea spp. is a small genus of two flowering species in the daisy family, Asteraceae, native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. G. canescens, the desert sunflower, is a winter-to-spring annual that germinates after autumn and winter rains and branches from the base into stems 1-2.5 feet (30-75 cm) tall covered in grey, rough hairs. G. viscida, the sticky desert sunflower, is a longer-lived woody-based perennial of coastal Baja California and southern California. Both carry yellow flower heads 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across with broad ray florets surrounding a yellow to brownish disc, on slender branching stems. In wet years G. canescens forms broad sheets of bloom across open desert flats, while in dry years few plants appear at all, so flowering is highly variable from season to season. The grey-green leaves are oval to lance-shaped with toothed margins. Seeds carry stiff bristles that aid dispersal. The genus is adapted to heat, intense sun, and sandy or gravelly desert soils, and depends on seasonal rainfall rather than steady moisture.

Native Range

Geraea spp. is native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, and into northwestern Mexico. G. canescens occupies open desert flats and dunes, while G. viscida grows in coastal scrub and chaparral of Baja California and southern California.

Suggested Uses

Grown in desert and dry-climate wildflower plantings, native seed mixes, and gravel gardens for seasonal yellow bloom. G. canescens is sown to naturalize across open sunny ground where summer water is withheld. The flowers draw desert bees and other pollinators.

How to Identify

Look for yellow daisy-like flower heads 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across on branching, grey-hairy stems with oval to lance-shaped toothed leaves. G. canescens is a low desert annual with soft grey hairs, while G. viscida is sticky to the touch and woodier at the base. The bristle-tipped seeds and desert habitat help confirm Geraea spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'6"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

grey green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Winter Spring

G. canescens flowers mainly from February to May, with timing and abundance set by winter rainfall; mass blooms follow wet winters and little appears in drought years. G. viscida flowers in spring on its perennial framework. The yellow heads open in full sun and close or fade as plants dry off.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

grey-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 Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

These desert plants grow in full sun on sandy, gravelly, or rocky free-draining soils and tolerate heat and drought. G. canescens is grown from seed sown in autumn for late-winter and spring bloom, and completes its life cycle in a single season. Overwatering and rich soils cause weak growth and rot, so lean conditions suit the genus. Irrigation is needed only to establish seedlings in the absence of rain. G. viscida as a perennial tolerates light frost but neither species withstands prolonged cold or wet winters. Pests are few in the dry conditions the plants prefer.

Pruning

The annual G. canescens needs no pruning and dies after setting seed. Spent plants are cleared once seed has dropped for the next season. The perennial G. viscida can be trimmed lightly after flowering to keep a compact shape.