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Plant Lists

This guide organizes, categorizes and provides information about plants from the Maricopa Native Seed Library.

Barba de Viejo (Old Man's Beard) (Clematis drummondii)

Other common names: Clematis, Drummond Clematis, Texas Virgin Bower, Virgin's Bower (Spanish: Barbas de Chivato, Barba Chivato, Chilillo)

Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy (see more information below)

  

Barba de Viejo or Old man's beard vine, by Mary Muchowski, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/141824346. 

 

 Striking and unusual native vine that supports pollinators and other wildlife

TYPE SIZE FLOWERS GERMINATION CARE

WILDLIFE BENEFITS

 EDIBLE CAUTIONS

Vine

 6-12 feet

White (Mar-Sept)

 

Direct sow or scatter seeds in the Fall. Cold moist stratification (seeds and wet sand in a ziploc bag) in the refrigerator for 60-180 days may increase seed germination

Full to partial sun, low to medium water     

Nectar, host plant for Fatal metalmark butterfly and several moth species, birds eat seeds

No

All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested

Recommended use in the landscape:  This beautiful native vine can be used as a screening plant or background planting. It will climb up trees, shrubs or fences despite not having true tendrils. 

For Further Information

Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Clematis drummondii profile.

SEINet. 2020. Clematis drumondii profile. 

 

 

 

 

Gregg's Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)

Other common names:  Palmleaf Thoroughwort, Palm-leaf Mistflower, Palm-leaf Thoroughwort, Purple Palmleaf 
Mistflower, Purple Palmleaf Eupatorium, Boneset

Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy

  

Gregg's mistflower plant in bloom

Gregg's mistflower, by Danielle Carlock. 

 

If you want Queen butterflies in your yard, this is the plant!

TYPE SIZE FLOWERS GERMINATION CARE

WILDLIFE BENEFITS

 EDIBLE OTHER CAUTIONS

Groundcover

 2'X2'

Purple/blue
(Mar-Nov)

 

Direct sow or scatter seeds in the Fall

Partial sun, medium water     

Nectar, host plant
for Rawson’s 
metalmark
​butterfly,
deer browse, 
especially attractive to Queen butterflies

No

Can be grown in containers

Frost sensitive but comes back in Spring

Recommended use in the landscape:  Plant in mass to attract butterflies and plant where they can be easily enjoyed. Can also be grown in containers. 

For Further Information

Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Conoclinium greggii profile. 

SEINet. 2020. Conoclinium greggii profile.  

 

 

 

 

Hartweg's Twinevine (Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum)

Other common names:  Vine milkweed

Difficulty level (when grown from seed):  Easy

Hartweg's twinevine in flower

Hartweg's twine vine, by Danielle Carlock. 

 

Unusual vine that hosts Queen butterflies

TYPE SIZE FLOWERS GERMINATION CARE WILDLIFE BENEFITS EDIBLE OTHER CAUTIONS

Vine

 Up to 15' 

White/pink
(Feb-Sept)

Soak seeds in warm tap water 24-48 hours
before planting

Partial sun, low water once established   

Host to Queen butterflies and apparently Monarchs (but only as a last resort)
birds eat seeds, provides nesting material

No. Poisonous

Twines on fences and other plants

 

Not generally  available at nurseries

Plants in this family are poisonous

Sap may irritate skin

May become weedy; recommend cutting off seed pods (you can donate them to the seed library if you'd like!)

Recommended use in the landscape: Plant against a wall or other climbing surface or near a shrub it can climb. If you mass them, the flowers will stand out even more and help butterflies locate them.

For further information:

Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum profile.  

SEINet. 2020. Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum profile.  

 

 

 

Snapdragon vine (Maurandella antirrhiniflora)

Other common names:  Roving Sailor, Climbing Snapdragon, Little Snapdragon Vine

Difficulty level (when grown from seed):  Easy

Picture of Snapdragon Vine  

Snapdragon vine, by Danielle Carlock. 

 

Dainty, easy growing vine that supports pollinators

TYPE SIZE FLOWERS GERMINATION CARE WILDLIFE BENEFITS EDIBLE OTHER CAUTIONS

Vine

 Up to 8'

Purple or red
(Mar-Oct)

Direct sow or scatter

Full or partial sun, low to medium water once established   

Host plant for common buckeye butterflies; hummingbird pollinated

No

 

Does well in containers

Not generally available at nurseries

Dies back to ground during winter

Recommended use in the landscape: Since this vine is very dainty, grow in a location where it will be easy to view. Does well in containers.

For further information

Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile. 

SEINet. 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.   

Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.