Chrysactinia mexicana
Damianita
Family: Asteraceae
Low growing, evergreen, aromatic shrub up to about 1-2’ tall, spreading about 2’. Yellow daisy flowers can occur almost any time of year but especially in hot weather.
Full sun best for good flower show, moderate to water with good drainage, hardy to 0°F. Although it is somewhat cranky about pruning and can die if pruned back too severely, pruning lightly in early spring will promote denser new growth.
This plant attracts tons of pollinators with its nectar-rich flowers. Tiny seeds of Chrysactinia mexicana may possibly be eaten by birds and small mammals.
Tea is made from the leaves. Called damianita because it resembles the odor and flavor of damiana, a plant used to make a traditional Mexican liqueur (damianita is the diminutive form of damiana). It is used in lieu of triple sec in margaritas. Mexican folklore claims that it was used in the "original" margarita. The damiana margarita is popular in the Los Cabos region of Mexico. Though this. herb is not traditionally used to make this liqueur, it can be substituted.
Found on caliche and limestone outcrops in the southern half of the Hill Country. Well-drained sand, loam, caliche or limestone. Limestone sites in desert plains & mountains in New Mexico, Texas, and south into Mexico.
Purple Hop Bush
While most plants are green, spontaneously some plants have a tendency to produce more anthocyanin in response to colder weather. The foliage of these sports turn a dark purple shade in the winter, and green up in the warm season. This selection is usually called ‘purpurea’ or purple hop bush and if often found in the trade.
Otherwise this horticultural selection has mostly the same attributes as the green hop bush, besides being slightly more ashy green than the brighter green of the regular species in summer.
Photo by Leonora (Ellie) Enking