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Wild Quinine

Parthenium integrifolium

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry
Bloom time
Jun–Sep
Bloom color
White

About Wild Quinine

Wild Quinine is a striking and long-lived perennial that brings a unique architectural presence to the native garden with its flat-topped clusters of pure white flowers. Often compared to cauliflower in appearance, these distinct woolly blossoms bloom from June through September, held atop sturdy stems that can reach 2 to 4 feet in height. Its large, rough-textured leaves provide a bold foliage contrast even when the plant is not in bloom. Native to the prairies and open woodlands of the eastern and central United States, Wild Quinine is remarkably adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers medium-moisture, well-drained sites in full sun. This plant is a magnet for a diverse array of pollinators, including beneficial wasps, beetles, and native bees. Its deep taproot makes it exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, and it is rarely bothered by deer or rabbits. For gardeners seeking a low-maintenance plant with multi-season interest and high ecological value, Wild Quinine is an outstanding candidate.

Native range

Native to 27 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Parthenium integrifolium

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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