Prairie Dockm, Prairie rosinweed, Lucy Braun's rosinweed

Silphium terebinthinaceum

Physical Characteristics

Silphium terebinthinaceum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Ontario to Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Gum None known

Medicinal Uses

Diuretic Emetic Expectorant Tonic Vermifuge A tea made from the roots is vermifuge and a tonic for general debility[4, 61, 222]. A tea made from the leaves is emetic, it has been used in the treatment of coughs, lung ailments and asthma[4, 61, 222]. A resin in the plant is diuretic[4, 61, 222].

Known Hazards

None known