Grindelia camporum
Gumplant
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Grindelia
- Life cycle
- annual, perennial
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Spread
- 0.75 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
Large doses used medicinally can irritate the kidneys[2].
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.
Gumplant was used by the native North American Indians to treat bronchial problems and also skin afflictions such as reactions to poison ivy[6]. It is still used in modern herbalism where it is valued especially as a treatment for bronchial asthma and for states where phlegm in the airways impedes respiration[6]. In addition, it is believed to desensitize the nerve endings in the bronchial tree and slow the heart rate, thus leading to easier breathing[6]. The herb is contraindicated for patients with kidney or heart complaints[6]. The dried leaves and flowering tops are antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant and sedative[7][8][2][5]. The principal use of this herb is in the treatment of bronchial catarrh, especially when there is an asthmatic tendency, it is also used to treat whooping cough and cystitis[7][8][5]. The active principle is excreted from the kidneys, and this sometimes produces signs of renal irritation[7][5]. Externally, the plant is used to treat burns, poison ivy rash, dermatitis, eczema and skin eruptions[8][5]. The plant is harvested when in full bloom and can be used fresh as a poultice or dried for infusions etc[5]. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the leaves and flowering stems[7].
- Product or use
- Antiasthmatic
- Product or use
- Antiinflammatory
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
- Product or use
- Sedative
Material uses
Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the flowering heads and pods[3]. Aromatic. A possible substitute for wood rosin, used in the manufacture of adhesives etc[1]. This report probably refers to the resin that covers the flower buds.
- Product or use
- Adhesive
- Product or use
- Dye
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America.
- Habitat
- Dry banks, rocky fields and plains, low alkaline ground in California[9].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cool greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Prick out the plants into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Cultivation
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[4]. Does well on dry sandy banks and in poor soils[4]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4]. All parts of the plant have a balsamic odour[5].
References
Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00