Chaenactis douglasii
Morning Brides
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Chaenactis
- Life cycle
- biennial, perennial
- Height
- 0.4 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
Morning brides was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints, but especially to treat skin problems[4]. It is not generally used in modern herbalism. An infusion of the whole plant has been given to children in order to slow their heart rates[4]. It is also used in the treatment of stomach complaints, coughs and colds[4]. The fresh plant, or sometimes just the leaves, are crushed and applied as a poultice to swellings, sores and aches[2][4]. An infusion is used as a wash for a variety of skin problems including pimples, chapped hands, boils and insect bites[4].
- Product or use
- Cardiac
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Montana to British Columbia, south to Arizona, California and New Mexico.
- Habitat
- Dry to medium-moist soils along roadsides, waste places and hillsides, especially where the soil has been disturbed[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - surface sow in spring in a greenhouse[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Cultivation
Requires a deep well-drained gritty or gravelly soil, preferably of low fertility and a sunny position[2]. Grows well in the rock garden[2]. The plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial[2].
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9