Chrysogonum virginianum aka Golden Knee

Taxonomy

Genus Chrysogonum Family Asteraceae Order Asterales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Chrysogonum virginianum, commonly known as the golden-knee, green and gold, or goldenstar, is a North American herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This species is native to the eastern United States, ranging from New York State and Rhode Island down to Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle. Known for its showy flowers, Chrysogonum virginianum is often cultivated as an ornamental perennial. It can be propagated through root cuttings. There are different varieties of Chrysogonum virginianum found in the wild. Chrysogonum virginianum var. australe is found in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Chrysogonum virginianum var. brevistolon is native to Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The variety Chrysogonum virginianum var. virginianum is distributed from New York to South Carolina, and westward to Kentucky and Ohio. This low-growing perennial forms a spreading mat, reaching a height of about 25cm (10 inches). It has oblong, slightly hairy green leaves, which are often heart-shaped. In mild winters, the plant retains its evergreen foliage. The five-petalled yellow flowers bloom from early spring to late summer. Green and Gold, as it is also commonly called, is a rhizomatous plant that spreads easily and forms a controlled foliage mat, growing up to 1-2 inches tall and spreading to 18 inches wide. It is native to woodland areas stretching from Pennsylvania to Florida and Louisiana. While it can be grown from seed, it may also self-seed in the garden.

Common names

Golden Knee, Green And Gold, Goldenstar

How to care for Golden Knee

Difficulty

Caring for Golden Knee is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Golden Knee should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Golden Knee loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Golden Knee prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Golden Knee should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

More info:
Wikipedia