Dracopis amplexicaulis (Vahl) Cass.

Clasping Coneflower; Clasping Leaf Coneflower

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Clasping Coneflower is a native herbaceous annual in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is found primarily in the Black Belt region of central Alabama, but occurs sporadically in other areas of the state where it may have been introduced in “wildflower” plantings. It occurs in prairies, on chalk outcrops, in pastures and fields, and on roadsides. It is an annual with a tap root. Stems are from 1-3 feet in height, branched or unbranched, glabrous, and green or glaucous. Leaves are alternate, short petiolate or sessile, elliptic to ovate in outline, glabrous, with entire or serrate margins. The sessile leaves are auriculate clasping. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are solitary or in corymbs. Each head has 6-10 yellow or orange ray flowers with a maroon base. The disc flowers are 400+ in a conic receptacle. The disc flowers are purple-black in color. The fruit is an achene. Clasping Coneflower is sometimes places in the genus Rudbeckia as Rudbeckia amplexicaulis Vahl. This species is easily grown from seed, and is a common component of “Wildflower” seed mixes. It prefers a well-draining soil in full sun. Seed should be planted directly in the garden after the last frost.--A. Diamond

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Native FAC (NWPL)

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