Krigia dandelion (Potato Dandelion) SKU-KRIDAN

Description

1′ flower stalks bearing golden flowers  arise out of  short bluish leaves in spring on this native wildflower attracting bees, butterflies, skippers and beneficial insects. One native bee, Andrena krigiana (The Dwarf Dandelion Andrena) specializes on plants in this genus.  Since it is still cold when they start blooming, the flowers track the sun’s movements so that pollinating insects can stay warm while feeding. This allows insects to feed on them when it is too cold to feed on other flowers. it is a composite, meaning that what most people call the “flower” is really a compact inflorescence made of dozens of tubular florets. The florets  mature over an extended period of time, so that pollinators can feed on them for an extended period of time. Birds eat the seeds. Though very rare in nature (only one very small native population, known from Beaufort Co., SC,)  it spreads by tiny potato-like tubers and readily naturalizes in areas where most plants have trouble surviving. They go dormant in the summer so they are great for interplanting with plants that are dormant in the winter. Plant in areas that are sunny/part sunny and average to wet in the winter. Since they are dormant in the summer, it doesn’t matter if it is sunny or shady.. wet or bone dry in the summer. The foliage is low and filled with latex so deer normally avoid them.  Each pot contains numerous tubers.

USA: AL , AR , DC , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA