wetland wildflower

Owlsclaws

Hymenoxys hoopesii

Also known as Owl's-claws, Orange Sneezeweed

Native to the Southwest, the Rockies, and the Pacific Coast

Central California, to New Mexico and Wyoming; also southern Oregon and Beaverhead county, Montana

Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Wet Moisture preference
Zones 2–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom Jun–Aug Flowering time
Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A wetland wildflower for partial shade and wet soil. Its yellow flowers peak in July. At up to 3 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 2–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Owlsclaws's yellow flowers bloom June to August, peaking in July. This midsummer display draws bees and butterflies.

Owlsclaws blooms yellowFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Hunt's Bumble Bee also Two-form Bumble Bee, Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee, Forest Bumble Bee
Butterflies Silvery Blue also Western White, Speyeria atlantis
Moths Fireweed Clearwing Moth

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Silvery bluenectar

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Southwest, the Rockies, and the Pacific CoastUnited States (10): AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WY. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Central California, to New Mexico and Wyoming; also southern Oregon and Beaverhead county, MontanaThe 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: WetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 2–9 · Canadian 1–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Moist to wet soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Growth & form

Height: up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~2 ft (0.6 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Jun–AugWhen it flowers.
Flower color: YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: ripens Jul–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.