Gregg’s Mistflower

Scientific name: Conoclinium greggi

School Related Observations:

What will students see and experience?

• When does it flower? Flowers March through November.

• Is it deciduous or evergreen? Deciduous

• Is this plant a sensory plant? Yes, especially for visual, tactile, auditory, and pollinator-related experiences.

• What pollinators are attracted to this plant? Butterflies, bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. Gregg’s mistflower is one of the most important native nectar plants for monarchs in Texas and surrounding areas.

  
  

Educational Outcomes:

Explore: Students can explore plant-pollinator relationships. The gregg’s mistflower provides a molecule that in two ways enables the queen butterfly to reproduce.

Observe: Note seasonal changes – spring sprouting, summer growth, fall bloom, and winter die back.

Investigate: Understand how environmental factors influence pollinator activity. Explain plant adaptations to climate and identify ways to design sustainable landscapes. Understand how using native species conserves resources and promotes biodiversity.

Things to Consider Before Planting Gregg's Mistflower:

1. Size: 2’ tall by 3’ wide.

2. Toxicity: Gregg’s mistflower is toxic to livestock if ingested. It contains a compound called intermedine.

3. Location: Choose an area that receives partial sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth. Plant in grouping and give this plant plenty of space to spread.

4. Invasiveness: Non-invasive but a vigorous grower.

5. Heat Tolerance: High

6. Planting time: Spring after last frost and early fall for warm climates.

Special Notes: Gregg’s mistflower is a favorite nectar source for the queen and monarch butterflies. This perennial produces a compound called intermedine that is found to be toxic to livestock, but not to the queen butterfly. The intermedine compound is essential to the queen butterfly’s reproduction The male queen butterfly will imbibe intermedine with the nectar. Then they convert part of the intermedine to a smaller molecule named danidone which is a sex attractant pheromone that draws in the female queen butterflies. During mating, the male queen passes the remaining unchanged intermedine to the female. The intermedine once again presents itself as a toxin, this time making the eggs unpalatable to predators.