Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Silphium laciniatum

Common Name: Compass Plant

Description

Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) is a group of long lived tall native prairie plants.

Pronunciation(SIL-phee-um)
Plant TypeAll Plants, Perennials Hardy, Wild Flowers
Hardiness Zoneat least #5
Sunlightfull
Moisturemoist to moderately dry
Soil & Siteaverage to moderately dry
Flowersyellow daisy-like flowers, on the top, older plants can produce up to 100 flowers, bloom July through August.
Leavesvery large, roughly triangular in shape, deeply divided and found at the base of the plant
Stemsvery stiff, rough and bristly
Rootsdeep tap root
DimensionsDepending on the growing conditions they can get 4'-10' tall.
PropagationThe seeds need to be cold stratified and the plants will bloom second year from seeds.
Native SiteNative to North American Prairies.
Misc FactsThe leaves are orientated in north south directions, hence "Compass Plant". In early times Native Americans chewed gum from an extract from the stem of the plant. Compass plant attracts birds. AKA: Pilot Plant, Gum Weed
Author's NotesThis is the first of the Silphium to flower in the prairies that I have walked.
Notes & Reference#09-The Prairie Garden (J. Robert Smith with Beatrice Smith), #56-Tall Grass Prairie Wildflowers (Doug Ladd), #224-Prairie Nursery web site (www.prairienursery.com)
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