Tea-blinkum, Sanddune cinchweed
Pectis glaucescens
Asteraceae


Landscape Uses:

Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also wildflower and rock gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries.
Description:
Small wildflower with narrow blue-green leaves.
Height:
About 1-4 inches in height. Spreading and forming small patches broader than tall.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Range:
Monroe County Keys north to Martin, Glades and Sarasota counties, then disjunct to Brevard, Polk and Hillsborough counties, where very rare; West Indies.
Habitats:
Pinelands and dry disturbed sites.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Yellow.
Flower Characteristics:
Semi-showy heads.
Flowering Season:
All year; peak summer-fall.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous achene.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed.
Comments:
It can be a little weedy. The leaves have a lemonlike smell when crushed.


Jimi Sadle, 2014
Everglades National Park, Florida
Roger L. Hammer