Grindelia robusta
Great Valley Gumweed
a perennial member of the Grindelia genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Grindelia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - raw[6].
- Plant part
- Leaves
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves and flowering tops are antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, balsamic, demulcent, expectorant, sedative, stomachic and a vascular tonic[7][10][4][8][9][3][5]. Blood purifier[7]. The plant is applied externally as a compress on inflamed or irritated areas of the skin[10][6]. Used internally, it slows down the heartbeat and reduces the stimulation of the nerve endings in the air passages that causes coughing - it is therefore extremely effective as a calming agent in the treatment of asthma[10]. The fluid extract is prepared by placing the freshly gathered leaves and flowers in a small quantity of simmering water for about 15 minutes[5]. The plant is used to treat people affected by poison-ivy[5].
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Blood purifier
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the flowering heads and pods[1]. Aromatic. A decoction of the roots has been used as a hair shampoo to kill lice[6].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Hair care
- Product or use
- Parasiticide
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America.
- Habitat
- By the coast[4] in sunny well-drained situations[2]. Thrives in dry areas and salty plains[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[2]. Does well on dry sandy banks and in poor soils[2]. Plants tend to concentrate selenium in the leaves and stems, this is especially noticeable on soils that are relatively rich in that element[4]. Some authorities class this species as a synonym of G. camporum.
References
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
Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5