Powdery Alligator-Flag
(Thalia dealbata)
Powdery Alligator-Flag (Thalia dealbata)
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Karen and Mike
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Karen and Mike
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Karen and Mike | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Karen and Mike | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-08-16T23:20Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Thalia dealbata, commonly known as Powdery Alligator-Flag, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb native to wetlands, including marshes and the edges of streams and ponds in the Southeastern USA. It can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in height, with small violet flowers arranged on an 8-inch (20 cm) panicle that rises above the foliage. The distinctive blue-green leaves are ovate to lanceolate, dusted with a white powdery substance, and often have purple edges, adding to the plant’s ornamental value. The flowers bloom in the summer and are moderately showy, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Powdery Alligator-Flag is valued for its striking foliage and flowers, which add a tropical flair to water gardens and aquatic settings. It is often used in bog gardens, around ponds, and in water features. This plant is relatively easy to maintain and has proven to be hardy in cultivation. It requires full sun to partial shade, and thrives in aquatic conditions or soil that is consistently moist. While it prefers standing or slow-moving water, it can also tolerate seasonal fluctuations in water levels. Gardeners should be aware that Thalia dealbata can spread via rhizomes and may need to be managed to prevent it from becoming too aggressive in small ponds or confined spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Powdery Alligator-Flag is valued for its striking foliage and flowers, which add a tropical flair to water gardens and aquatic settings. It is often used in bog gardens, around ponds, and in water features. This plant is relatively easy to maintain and has proven to be hardy in cultivation. It requires full sun to partial shade, and thrives in aquatic conditions or soil that is consistently moist. While it prefers standing or slow-moving water, it can also tolerate seasonal fluctuations in water levels. Gardeners should be aware that Thalia dealbata can spread via rhizomes and may need to be managed to prevent it from becoming too aggressive in small ponds or confined spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 6-10 feet
- Width: 3-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Aquatic, High
- Drainage: Standing, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetlands, including marshes and the edges of streams and ponds in the Southeastern USA
Other Names
Common Names: Hardy Canna, Powdery Thalia
Scientific Names: , Thalia dealbata, Thalia barbata, Malacarya dealbata, Maranta dealbata, Peronia stricta, Spirostalis biflora, Spirostylis biflora,
GBIF Accepted Name: Thalia dealbata Fraser