Family: Asteraceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Jacobaea maritima, commonly known as dusty miller, is a perennial ornamental plant native to the western and central Mediterranean region. It is prized for its attractive silvery-gray foliage, which provides striking contrast in gardens, landscapes, and container plantings. Dusty miller typically forms a low, mounded shrub reaching 1–3 feet (0.3–1 m) in height and produces clusters of small yellow flowers. Its drought tolerance, ability to thrive in poor soils, and distinctive foliage have made it a popular choice for borders, coastal gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscaping projects in warm climates around the world.
Risks & Threats
Dusty miller is considered a low-risk species for Hawaii. It has a long history of cultivation and is not known to exhibit aggressive invasive behavior. While the plant can produce viable seed and may occasionally persist outside cultivation, there is little evidence that it spreads extensively or forms dense populations that displace native vegetation. As with any non-native species, responsible gardening practices are recommended, including monitoring for unwanted spread and preventing the disposal of garden waste into natural areas. Overall, dusty miller is unlikely to pose significant ecological threats to Hawaii’s native ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized in Britain and Europe
- Congeneric weeds exist
- Deer-resistant (unpalatable)
- Tolerates clay, sand, acidic, and loam soils
- Produces viable seed
- Can flower in first year
- Widely sold and planted intentionally by people
- Wind-dispersed seeds (pappus)
- Tolerates pruning/mutilation
Low Risk Traits:
- Not a weed (agricultural, horticultural, or environmental)
- No spines, thorns, or burrs
- No allelopathy or parasitism
- Low animal toxicity (toxic only if ingested internally)
- No major pest/pathogen issues
- Low human allergy risk
- Low fire hazard
- Not shade-tolerant
- No vegetative spread
- No unintentional dispersal
- Low seed production
