Eriophyllum lanatum – woolly sunflowers – Asteraceae family

http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/basin/sun/daisy/eriophyllum/lanatum/lanatum1a.jpg

Class summary: Commonly used in meadows by landscape architects. The issue in meadow ecology is the vigor of the grass. Ways to reduce vigor of the grass include burning the field back down to an infertile state. Or introduce a parasite plant that eats the grass (paintbrush). If you don’t, the organic matter builds up, grass takes over, then woody trees infringe on the grasslands. Thus, the flower gets over crowded by the grass competition. This flower doesn’t tolerate competition. It is also a zero scape plant and needs a sunny, open area with well drained infertile soil.

Site: Sun full, infertile, dry soil. Woolly fuzzy leaves form clump with bright yellow flowers that bloom May to August. Dry open, bluffs, rocky slopes common in low to middle elevations. Found in Canada to Mexico. Acts as annual.

Aesthetic: I appreciate the mixed meadow look for this flower. However, I think the woolly leaves are attractive and can be featured in a mixed garden, with shorter plants surrounding it.

http://www.worldbotanical.com/images/Eriophyllum/Eriophyllum_lanatum-271.jpg