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Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf
Thymophylla tenuiloba
Easy · Beginner friendlyAbout Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf
Dahlberg Daisy or Golden Fleece is a Texas and Mexico native annual producing a cheerful carpet of tiny golden-yellow daisies over finely divided aromatic foliage. Growing only 4 to 8 inches tall and spreading to form dense mats, it thrives in heat and poor soils where many flowers fail. A signature xeric garden and hot-paving annual in the American Southwest and a charming filler for rock gardens and containers.
- Fragrant
- Drought-tolerant
- Heat-tolerant
- Native
How to care for Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf
Watering
- Springevery 5 days
- Summerevery 4 days
- Fallevery 7 days
- Winterpause watering
Soil · Well-draining
- Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
- Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
- DrainageLECA / gravel20%
Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.
FERTILIZER
- Springevery 30 days
- Summerevery 30 days
At a Glance
- NativeNorth America
- Height0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
- Spread0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
- Flower colorYellow
- Foliage colorGreen
- SoilSandy, Well-drained
- LocationsYard · Balcony
Bloom time
BLOOM CYCLE
Peak bloom
Mar–Nov
Tiny gold daisies spring through fall in hot climates
Fragrance
LIGHT FRAGRANCE
Foliage has a light aromatic scent when crushed.
Toxicity
Toxicity unknown
None reported
Unknown
EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.
EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.
NOTE Toxicity for humans is not well documented; use caution until verified.
Unknown
EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.
EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.
NOTE Toxicity for dogs is not well documented; use caution until verified.
Unknown
EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.
EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.
NOTE Toxicity for cats is not well documented; use caution until verified.
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
DISTRIBUTION
- Native
- Introduced
- North America
History
Thymophylla tenuiloba, the Dahlberg daisy or golden-fleece, is a small herbaceous annual native to south Texas and northern Mexico. American botanist Asa Gray described the species in 1849. The plant forms low spreading mounds of fine thread-like lacy foliage 20 to 30 centimeters tall and produces masses of tiny bright yellow daisy flowers from spring through frost.
Its drought tolerance, heat resistance, and long bloom period made it a favorite of cottage and xeric gardens across the US Sunbelt. The cultivar Golden Fleece and the Plant Select winner Star Shine Gold have kept it in commercial seed catalogs.
Although treated as an annual north of its hardiness range, it self-seeds and can persist for years in mild southern climates. Native to the Edwards Plateau of Texas and northern Mexico, introduced to American ornamental horticulture in the mid-1800s. Named for Swedish botanist Carl Gustav Dahlberg, it became a beloved pass-along plant in Texas cottage gardens and remains a xeric garden favorite across the Southwest.
Symbolism & meaning
What It Symbolizes
Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf is Sunny resilience in miniature — tiny gold daisies spilling across hot pavement and reflective gravel where almost nothing else will bloom. It carries Desert cheer through merciless Southwest summers, undaunted by the sort of heat that wilts annuals twice its size. A small plant proving cheerfulness can be a survival trait.
- Sunny resilience — gold flowers carpet hot paving
- Desert cheer — thrives in brutal Southwest sun
Where the Name Comes From
'Thymophylla' from Greek means thyme-leaved, for finely divided aromatic foliage; 'tenuiloba' means slender-lobed.
Uses & Fun Facts
- Tiny golden daisies cover delicate ferny mounds
- Compact size suits window boxes and edging pots
- Small native flowers feed bees and beneficial insects
Related plants
Plants with similar care
Chinese AbeliaAbelia chinensis
Fragrant AbeliaAbelia mosanensis
Large-Flowered AbeliaAbelia uniflora
Glossy AbeliaAbelia x grandiflora
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf?
Water about every 5 days during the growing season, and always let excess water drain away.
How much light does Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf need?
Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.
Is Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf toxic to cats or dogs?
Pets Unknown (Dogs Unknown · Cats Unknown) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
Is Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf easy to grow?
Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.
When does Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf bloom?
It typically blooms Mar–Nov in the Northern Hemisphere.
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