Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3147913

Cowpen Daisy

Verbesina encelioides

Also known as Golden Crownbeard, Goldweed, Butter Daisy, American Dogweed

Cowpen daisy is a resilient annual herb identifiable by its bright yellow, sunflower-like flower heads and distinctly winged stems covered in grayish-green downy foliage. Thriving in sandy, disturbed soils like overgrazed corrals and sunny roadsides, it produces two distinct seed shapes to ensure widespread survival across varying conditions. When crushed, the leaves release a strong resinous odor that deters many herbivores, though pollinators flock to its long-lasting summer blooms.

FloweringDrought TolerantPollinator Magnet
Cowpen Daisy reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Herbivorous Insects
  • Caterpillars
ThreatsHerbicide application, intensive agricultural cultivation
HabitatsDisturbed soils, pastures, roadsides, sandy plains, desert scrub
Life span1 year (Annual)
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusVerbesina
  4. SpeciesVerbesina encelioides
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Toxic to livestock and domestic pets if ingested; prevent animals from grazing dense stands.
Why it is dangerous
Contains the lethal toxic alkaloid galegine, which causes severe pulmonary edema and respiratory failure in grazing animals.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for bright yellow flower heads, grayish puberulent leaves, and green tissue wings along the stems.
What to do
Keep livestock away from dense patches, and wear garden gloves when hand-pulling plants.
Responsible observation
  • Identification: Examine the stem for paper-like green wings running vertically beneath the leaf bases.
  • Wildlife Viewing: Watch for native solitary bees, monarch butterflies, and skippers nectar-feeding on bright yellow blooms.
  • Pasture Management: Clear from livestock pens promptly to prevent accidental ingestion by horses, cattle, or sheep.
Related species
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