woodland wildflower
Lemonscent
Pectis angustifolia
Also known as Limoncillo, Crownseed Pectis, Lemon-scented Pectis, Lemonscent Pectis, Lemonweed, Chinchweed, Fetid Marigold
1 of 2Native to the Southwest, the Great Plains, and the Rockies
North to Wyoming and Nebraska, west to Arizona and Utah, east to central Texas, and south to Veracruz. Concentrated in southwestern deserts, particularly the Chihuahuan Desert
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jan–Dec Flowering time
- Height up to 8 in to 20 cm
- Life cycle Annual Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. Its yellow flowers peak in October. At up to 8 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
When it blooms
The Lemonscent's yellow flowers bloom January to December, peaking in October. This fall display draws butterflies.
Lemonscent blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Dainty Sulphur
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Dainty sulphurnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southwest, the Great Plains, and the RockiesUnited States (9): AZ, CO, KS, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT, WY. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- North to Wyoming and Nebraska, west to Arizona and Utah, east to central Texas, and south to Veracruz. Concentrated in southwestern deserts, particularly the Chihuahuan DesertThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Sandy or gravelly soil. Caliche type, Gravelly, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium LoamThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 5.9–7.2The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- HighHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 8 in (to 20 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- AnnualWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 8+ in (20+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jan–DecWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- SeedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.4 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.