BLUE MISTFLOWER Conoclinium coelestinum (L.) DC.

<strong>BLUE</strong> <strong>MISTFLOWER</strong><br />

<strong>Conoclinium</strong> <strong>coelestinum</strong> (L.)<br />

<strong>DC</strong>.<br />

Plant Symbol = COCO13<br />

Contributed by: USDA NRCS Jamie L. Whitten Plant<br />

Materials Center<br />

© William S. Justice<br />

Smithsonian Institution<br />

@ USDA NRCS PLANTS<br />

Alternate Names<br />

Eupatorium <strong>coelestinum</strong> L., wild ageratum<br />

Uses<br />

This plant is used mainly for landscape<br />

beautification. It has potential for use in cultivated,<br />

garden situations, in naturalized prairie or meadow<br />

plantings, and along roadsides.<br />

Status<br />

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State<br />

Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s<br />

current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species,<br />

state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).<br />

Plant Fact Sheet<br />

Weediness<br />

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some<br />

regions or habitats and may displace desirable<br />

vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult<br />

with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative<br />

Extension Service office, or state natural resource or<br />

agriculture department regarding its status and use.<br />

Weed information is also available from the<br />

PLANTS Web site at plants.usda.gov.<br />

Description<br />

Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). Mistflower is an<br />

erect (to 3 feet), rhizomatous perennial, often forming<br />

colonies. It is a U.S. native. The opposite leaves are<br />

oval-shaped, hairy, and have toothed edges. The<br />

small flower heads are clustered at the top of the<br />

plant. They are powder blue to violet and fluffy in<br />

appearance, similar to Ageratums used as garden<br />

bedding plants. The tiny seeds are black, elongated,<br />

and have long white hairs attached to one end.<br />

Adaptation and Distribution<br />

Mistflower is adapted to most soil types, but is<br />

especially suited to heavy textured and to highly<br />

organic soils. Natural stands are found on moist to<br />

wet sites, such as low woods, wet meadows, and<br />

ditches. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate<br />

light shade.<br />

Blue mistflower is distributed throughout the eastern<br />

and midwest United States. For a current distribution<br />

map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this<br />

species on the PLANTS Website.<br />

Establishment<br />

A clean, firm seedbed is essential. The site should be<br />

treated with a herbicide to control existing<br />

vegetation, tilled, cultipacked once or twice, and<br />

allowed to settle thoroughly before sowing.<br />

Broadcast ½ to ¾ gram seed per 100 square feet (½<br />

to ¾ lb/acre). Bulk sowing rates usually need to be<br />

increased to allow for low purity values. The seed<br />

can be mixed with sand or rice hulls to increase<br />

volume so that it will be easier to spread uniformly<br />

over the planting site. Seed must remain on the soil<br />

surface because they are easily smothered when<br />

buried in the soil. The seed will not germinate until<br />

the following spring, but will benefit from the cool,<br />

moist winter environment.<br />

Plant Materials <br />

Plant Fact Sheet/Guide Coordination Page <br />

National Plant Data Center

---

Management<br />

Apply fertilizer according to soil test<br />

recommendations. If not available, a rate of 3½ to<br />

5½ oz/100 square feet (100 to 150 lbs/acre) of 13-13-<br />

13 should be applied after the seedlings are<br />

established and annually thereafter. Stands can be<br />

mowed in the spring and early summer. Later<br />

mowings should be delayed until the plants have set<br />

seed.<br />

Control<br />

Please contact your local agricultural extension<br />

specialist or county weed specialist to learn what<br />

works best in your area and how to use it safely.<br />

Always read label and safety instructions for each<br />

control method. Trade names and control measures<br />

appear in this document only to provide specific<br />

information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or<br />

warranty the products and control methods named,<br />

and other products may be equally effective.<br />

Prepared By & Species Coordinator:<br />

USDA NRCS Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials<br />

Center, Coffeeville, MS<br />

Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 01jun06 jsp<br />

For more information about this and other plants, please contact<br />

your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the<br />

PLANTS Web site or the Plant Materials<br />

Program Web site <br />

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits<br />

discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of<br />

race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political<br />

beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all<br />

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities<br />

who require alternative means for communication of program<br />

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact<br />

USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).<br />

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office<br />

of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and<br />

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, <strong>DC</strong> 20250-9410 or call<br />

202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity<br />

provider and employer.<br />

Read about Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation<br />

Service.