Psilostrophe

( SYE - lohst - roff )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Paper Flower, this genus of flowering perennials includes species which need full sun and little or no water to perform well in the landscape. The flowers will attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. These are short-lived perennial subshrubs native to North America that form mounds of grey-green stems and foliage dotted with yellow flowers in springtime. Use Psilostrophe in drought-tolerant mixed beds and borders, as erosion control on slopes, or in pollinator, xeriscape, desert, or rock gardens to add lush foliage and flower interest. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as they are toxic to grazing sheep and cattle.

Psilostrophe Species and Varietals

The Psilostrophe genus is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 7 species. The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Tetraneuris (Four-Nerve Daisy) and Baileya (Desert Marigold). Paper Flower growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Psilostrophe cooperi (Whitestem Paper Flower, Cooper's Paper Daisy, Paperflower)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8b-11 or Sunset growing zones 7-12 and 18-21. It is native to California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and northern Mexico and can handle temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Individual plants reach up to 12 to 18 inches tall and twice as wide at maturity, with green-white stems and leaves. They have a spreading habit and has hairy foliage.

Psilostrophe tagetina (Marigold-Flowered Psilostrophe, Wooly Paperflower)
This species is best in zones 2b, 7-12 and 18-19. Native to Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico. Forms a 2 foot mound of green-grey foliage and yellow flowers. This is a self-sowing species, and is considered a short-lived perennial. These plants were used in the traditional medicinal practices of various native populations in the mid-western United States.

Caring for Psilostrophe

Psilostrophe, or Paperflower, does well when planted in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, these shrubby plants like to get between 6 and 8 hours of sun every day, but in warmer climates they appreciate some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Ensure that soil is well-draining; these plants grow naturally in rocky and sandy soils and do not like to have wet feet. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Paperflower is drought-tolerant and can get by for most of the year on rainwater alone, with supplemental irrigations in long periods of dry weather.

Propagation

Psilostrophe can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Psilostrophe , follow the instructions below:

Propagating Psilostrophe by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Psilostrophe by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 10-14 days from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.