Maryland Native Plants

Parthenium integrifolium – Wild Quinine

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Parthenium integrifolium, also known as Wild Quinine, is a rare and gorgeous native plant in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) with everything one could want in a garden perennial. It has an upright form, excellent foliage, a long bloom time, and is also resistant to insects and disease. The dense clusters of pure white compound flowers bloom from May to August and attract an array of pollinators due to their pleasant mild fragrance. The seed heads provide excellent winter interest. Wild Quinine will grow best in fertile, well-drained soils in full-sun to light shade.

Combine Wild Quinine with Blazing Star, Bergamot, or Purple Coneflower for a beautiful late summer show. Parthenium integrifolium is a clump forming rhizomatous perennial wildflower. Plants produce bold rosettes of large coarsely serrate oval leaves. Stout flower stalks emerge from the rosettes bearing flat topped clusters of showy white flower heads. Pollinators flock to the blooms for about two months beginning in late spring. This tap rooted species thrives in dry or mesic prairie like setting or dry open woods.