Chrysactinia mexicana

Chrysactinia mexicana

Chrysactinia mexicana A. Gray

Damianita

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: chme3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Damianita is a 1-2 ft., bushy, low-growing, aromatic, evergreen shrub with stems rising in a mounded or bouquet form from a woody base. Leaves crowded on the twigs, dark green, up to 3/8 inch long by 1/16 inch or less wide, covered with green to black glandular dots visible under a 10x hand lens. This is a very leafy plant - the narrow, fragrant foliage everywhere except on the 1-3 in. long peduncles. These extend from branch tips and bear a solitary, yellow, composite flower. The flower heads are golden yellow, 1 inch across, commonly with 8 narrow ray flowers, on slender stems at the end of the branches. Fruit very small, 1/8 inch long and with a crown of short bristles visible under a 10x hand lens.

Technically a shrub; used like a flower. Very drought-tolerant.