Central Texas Frostweed
Verbesina virginica
Michael Meves
During one of Central Texas’ winter hard freezes, most of us would be content to stay inside our warm homes. But if you are brave enough to bundle up and venture out into a cold morning, you can try to discover a native plant that does an interesting trick. This plant is the frostweed. During the first hard freeze, the stems of the frostweed plant split and exude water which freezes and forms into beautiful ribbon-like structures.
When I first discovered this plant, I thought I was looking at a field littered with plastic grocery bags. On a closer look, I thought that I was looking at an insect cocoon. Finally, I realized that these forms were made of ice. I immediately wanted to investigate this phenomenon, and that is when I learned about the frostweed.
According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, this plant has the Latin name Verbesina virginica, but there are other plants that can also do this trick. Common names for this phenomenon are frost flowers, frost ribbons, frost beards, and rabbit ice. Bob Harris from the University of Texas coined the more scientific term “crystallofolia.” Frostweed normally grows in dappled sunshine at the edge of woodlands.
These photos were taken during our recent hard freeze near a creek bed in my neighborhood. The photo of the green foliage and flower are from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website.
In order to witness the frost structures, you will need to be timely. The event will only happen during the first hard freeze of the season. Plus, you have to witness it before the sun starts to shine on the plants and melts the ice. But once you come upon these beautiful crystals, you will be rewarded with a sight that comes only once a year.
Watch this short video about frostweed by HCMN Allison Buckner
Produced by Allison Buckner
January, 2024