Palo cenizo

Verbesina serrata Cav.

Family: Asteraceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not stated by our sources (not a clearance). Detail: no human-hazard statement

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA index has no page for this species. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Verbesina serrata Cav. (CONABIO and Kew WCVP agree), not on the common name.. Verbesina has many shrubs with white or ashy stems; the Spanish name "vara blanca" is shared with other plants (CONABIO gives it for this one, eFloraMex gives it for Zaluzania augusta). Check the botanical name.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Light: direct sun (Celaya planting table).
Water needs: Celaya municipal planting schedule (a weak source for plant needs): water every third day while establishing, then twice a week. The level is a plain-language reading of the source wording cited. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: MX: CONABIO: shrub more than 1 m and up to 3 m (about 3 to 10 ft) tall; MX Celaya table: Celaya planting table: 1.0 m to 2.0 m tall, crown 1.5 m

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon