Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii, commonly known as Shrubby Butterweed, is a woody subshrub native to much of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It grows 1-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, with fine-textured blue-green foliage and yellow daisy flowers that bloom from July to November. Shrubby Butterweed is useful in dry native gardens, for slope stabilization, and would do well in large planters. It provides habitat for insects and birds while requiring full sun, any well-draining soil, and little water once established.

1. Shrubby Butterweed – Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii
(sen-EE-see-oh FLAS-i-dus DUG-las-ee-eye)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of Southwestern U.S. from CA to CO, TX and northwestern Mexico; common plant
in gravelly washes and dry creek beds, and along roads and trails in coastal sage scrub, chaparral
and S. Oak Woodlands, usually away from the coast.
Growth characteristics: woody sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Small, many-branched rounded shrub, woody at the base but herbaceous above. Foliage fine-
textured, an attractive blue-green. Leaves have narrow, needle-like lobes and may be smooth or
hairy.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms July to November in lowlands of Los Angeles Co. Flowers are showy, one-
inch yellow ‘daisy’ flowers on stems above the foliage. Seeds are wind-borne with fluffy hairs.
Uses in the garden: Most useful as a fall-blooming shrub in dry native gardens. Also good for slope
stabilization/erosion control. Would do fine in large post/planters. Note: plant is toxic to
animals and humans. Flowers produce a yellow dye.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubby sunflowers like Marguerites.
Attracts: Excellent insect and bird habitat. Particularly good as fall butterfly nectar plant.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part shade.
Soil Any, but sandy or rocky soils preferred.
Water Occasional to little once established (Zone ½ to 2)
Fertilizer none
Other
Management: Easy to grow. Will re-seed on bare ground.
Propagation: from seed: direct sow outdoors in fall by cuttings: probably, late spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16 1/15/17
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