The vibrant yellow blooms are star-shaped and have five petals arranged in the shape of a cross, hence the name St. Andrews Cross. The flowers can be dried and used for a variety of purposes including potpourri, flower arrangements, and herbal teas. St. Andrews Cross is easy to care for and requires very little maintenance.

It is found statewide in Louisiana and can bloom year-round where winter temperatures remain warm. St. Andrew’s Cross is a great plant for pollinators, it’s a larval host to many butterflies and moths, and provides winter seeds for songbirds.

A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of colic, fevers, pain, diarrhoea etc. It is applied externally to ulcerated breasts. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder ailments, skin problems and children's diarrhoea. A milky substance obtained from the plant has been rubbed on sores.