Dove plant/Turkey mullein is a low-growing annual wildflower native to western North America. It has spreading branches covered in silver-white to pale gray-green foliage made up of tiny sharp prickles. Small pale green flowers bloom from May to September. It is well-suited to dry, disturbed areas and provides cover and seeds for birds. Dove plant requires full sun to light shade, well-drained soil, and winter/spring water followed by summer dry conditions.

1. Dove Plant/Turkey Mullein – Croton setigerus
(KRO-ton seh-TEE-jer-us)
Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
Native to: Western North America from WA to Baja, including much of CA; common in dry, open
and disturbed sites mostly below 2500' in coastal sage scrub, valley grassland and oak woodland.
annual wildflower
mature height: < 1 ft.
mature width: 1-3 ft.
Low-growing, mounded annual with spreading branches. Foliage is showy, silver-white to pale graygreen, covered with tiny sharp prickles. Leaves thick, heart-shaped, quite distinctive. Foliage is
toxic to animals, particularly when dried in hay for livestock.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in summer, between May and Sept. depending on weather. Flowers are
small, pale green and easily missed – but interesting up close. Separate male & female flowers.
The flowers are typical for the Spurge Family. Seeds are small, hard & dark-colored.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Usually used in habitat gardens or restoration sites.
Excellent choice for dry,
out-of-the-way places, slopes. Excellent choice with other native wildflowers. Does well in
containers – quite showy-looking. Be sure to plant where you won’t brush against it!
Sensible substitute for: Non-native white-foliage ground covers.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat plant: provides cover and seeds for doves, quail, turkeys and other
ground-eating birds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade.
Just about any well-drained local soil.
Needs good winter/spring water; then summer-dry (Zone 1 or 1-2)
None
Pretty easy to grow. Can reseed on bare ground – occasionally weedy.
gloves when handling!
Management:
Wear
Propagation: from seed: pre-chill seeds to increase germination; plant in pots or prepared ground.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 10, 16
11/3/09
© Project SOUND