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Aunt Lucy

Ellisia nyctelea

Last reviewed: August 2026

Aunt Lucy (Ellisia nyctelea)
Photo: Steve Hurst. Provided by ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. United States, IA. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Toxicity unknown

Aunt Lucy (Ellisia nyctelea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

6"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AR, CO, CT, IA and 26 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested MountainsNorth American DesertsSouthern RockiesHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsNorthwestern Glaciated PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsPiedmontNorthern Glaciated PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyInterior River Valleys and Hills

Aunt Lucy is a delicate native annual wildflower that grows 6-24 inches tall with small white or pale blue flowers from April through June. This modest forb prefers partial shade and medium moisture, making it suitable for woodland gardens or naturalized areas. As an annual, it completes its life cycle in one growing season and may self-seed under favorable conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Aunt Lucy takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Small stature and delicate appearance may look weedy
  • Annual nature means gaps when plants die back
  • Informal wildflower appearance doesn't fit typical landscaping expectations

Wildlife value

This native plant provides nectar and pollen for bees and flies during its spring to early summer bloom period. Its early flowering time makes it particularly valuable for supporting pollinators when fewer food sources are available.

Common questions

How much sun does Aunt Lucy need?
Aunt Lucy grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Aunt Lucy bloom?
Aunt Lucy blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Aunt Lucy native?
Aunt Lucy (Ellisia nyctelea) is native to AR, CO, CT, IA and 26 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Aunt Lucy attract?
Aunt Lucy draws bees and flies.
Is Aunt Lucy HOA-friendly?
Aunt Lucy takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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