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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Asteraceae (Sunflowers) |
| Origin: West Indies (North America) |
| Flower Color: Lavender |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [C. intermedium] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Centratherum punctatum (Porcupine Flower) - A tender perennial to 1-2 feet tall by 2 feet wide with coarsely-toothed heavily-veined dark green leaves that smell of pineapple when crushed. The lavender button-like 1 1/2 inch wide flowers bloom from spring into summer. Does well in full to part sun with moderate water. Hardy to about 30-32. Root hardy to about 25 degrees F and often reseeds in the garden. Attractive to butterflies. This plant is sometimes called Manaos Beauty, Pineapple Thistle and Pineapple Weed, Brazilian Button or Brazilian Bathchelor's Button. The foliage is softer and easier to eat than Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans). The name Centratherum comes from the Greek 'kentron' (spur) and 'anthos' (flower) referring to the flower having a spur-like base. Some references note that this plant is from the West Indies and others list it as from Brazil. We first noted mention of this plant in Pacific Horticulture where an article in the Spring 1993 issue noted it as a good companion plant to roses and the Spring 1995 issue featured a picture of the plant growing as an understory to black bamboo. We grew this plant from 1996 to 2006 but discontinued because of lack of sales and its somewhat ephemeral nature in the garden.
The information about Centratherum punctatum displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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