Parthenium integrifolium (Wild Quinine)

This once-common eastern United States native is becoming increasingly difficult to find in the wild, except on undisturbed prairie holdings. The 2’–4’ tall plant blooms from mid to late summer with small flat-topped clusters of pure white flowers. The seed heads are highly aromatic when crushed and yield a sharp semi-sweet flavor. Wild Quinine grows in a wide range of soil types but enjoys being on the dry side. It looks wonderful with Allium ‘Summer Beauty’ (Ornamental Onion), Perovskia (Russian Sage) and Phlox ‘Eva Cullum’ (Summer Phlox-Paniculata Group).