Shrubby Thoroughwort Koanophyllon solidaginifolium
Family: Asteraceae
This shrubby perennial may be mistaken for a Brickellia, but is closer related to the blue mist flower (Conoclinium greggii). A very good nectar flower, it blooms in response to the monsoon into the fall.
Plants may need to be cut back to encourage new, fresh growth. Part sun, regular water to moderate water with good drainage, hardiness unknown but since it grows to almost 6000’ in elevation, it can probably go down at least to 0°F.
Larval food plant for owlet moths (family Noctuidae). There are several species of Koanophyllon that are native to our region and equally appropriate for cultivation.
Photo by Anthony Mendoza, SEINET
Koanophyllon solidaginifolium on iNaturalist
There are 139 species of Koanophyllon which occur as perennials and shrubs (rarely vines or trees) and are native to South America, Central America, the West Indies, Mexico, with a few species range extending into the United States like our species. Koanophyllon is a reference to something with the leaves, given that phyllon is related to the Lation word for leaf, while soladginifolium means with leaves like the genus Solidago.
There is one other species in Arizona, Palmer's Umbrella Thoroughwort (Koanophyllon palmeri) in the borderlands area and is very similar. If you encounter a Koanophyllon and aren’t sure which species you are seeing, here is a botanical key to help—they are VERY similar.
Found on limestone hills and ridges in rocky areas and along canyon walls, talus, slopes, and ledges, in woodlands and along streams, from 2,500-5,500 ft. in Arizona, southern Texas, and south into northern Mexico.
Koanophyllon solidaginifolium and other species of Koanophyllon look a lot like Brickellia, photo by Anthony Mendoza, SEINET
This the closely related and similar Palmer's Umbrella Thoroughwort (Koanophyllon palmeri)