Bobo.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 5 days

Mature size

15 to 30 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural riverbank habitat. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that it needs more water. Ensure it gets plenty of sun to keep the foliage healthy.

Watering

Keep the soil damp at all times.

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

Pruning

Trim back in late winter to maintain shape.

Repotting

Repot when the roots fill the container.

Soil

Sandy or silty soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-5 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.

Children

The fluffy seed heads can be a choking hazard for small children if they try to play with them.

Contact allergens

The fine hairs on the leaves can cause mild skin irritation if handled without gloves.

Airborne allergens

The wind-dispersed seeds produce a fluffy pappus that may irritate sensitive airways.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and may cause digestive distress if ingested.

How to identify it

• Silver gray foliage
• Lance shaped leaves
• Small pink to lilac flower heads
• Shrubby growth habit

Height

2 to 5m

Spread

1.5 to 3m

Leaves

gray-green, silvery, evergreen

Flowers

white, pale-yellow, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

white, silvery, late summer

Problems to watch for

• Root rot · Occurs when the soil remains waterlogged for extended periods.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Group this shrub with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant species that appreciate well-draining, sandy soil.

Grows well with

• Cortaderia · They share similar environmental needs and create a nice textural contrast.
• Baccharis · These plants often grow together in the wild along riparian corridors.

Similar species

• Baccharis · They share similar growth habits and ecological roles in riparian zones.

Science

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Tessaria

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

South America, specifically along riverbanks in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Conservation

It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It acts as a primary colonizer on sandy alluvial deposits, helping to build soil structure for other plants.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, nesting habitat

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

erosion control, ornamental shrub, riverbank restoration

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?

Yes. It is a riverbank plant that prefers consistently moist soil and should not be allowed to dry out completely.

Can I grow it in a container?

It is best suited for the ground, but can grow in large containers if pruned regularly.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Tessaria refers to the tessellated or checkered appearance of the flower heads, while integrifolia means entire-leaved.

Good to know

• It is commonly known as 'pájaro bobo' in parts of South America.
• The silvery foliage provides a beautiful contrast in xeriscape gardens.
• It is exceptionally well adapted to sandy, nutrient-poor soils.