Practical
Plants

Silphium laciniatum

Compass Plant

a perennial member of the Silphium genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Spread
0.6 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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

There is a report that the plant might be toxic[6].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A resin exudes naturally from the plant, and can also be obtained by incision[9]. It is an inexpensive substitute for mastic and is used as a chewing gum to sweeten the breath[9][10][2][7]. It forms on the upper part of the flowering stem[3].

Product or use
Gum

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 resin obtained from the plant is diuretic[9][10][6]. It imparts a strong aromatic odour to urine[9]. A tea made from the roots is vermifuge and a tonic for general debility[9][10][6]. It is used as an expectorant in coughs and other pulmonary ailments[9]. A decoction of the smaller roots has been used as an emetic[7]. A tea made from the leaves is emetic, it has also been used in the treatment of coughs, lung ailments and asthma[6].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Environment

Range
Central N. America - Ohio to Minnesota, south to Alabama and Texas.
Habitat
Prairies and glades[6]. Calcareous or sandy soils and prairies in Texas[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[5]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[4]. This is very difficult due to the deep and extensive root system.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a deep moisture retentive moderately fertile soil that is not too nitrogen rich, in sun or dappled shade[5]. Prefers a shady position[5]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Leaves of young plants tip vertically and align themselves north to south to minimise exposure to the midday sun[5]. Plants have a deep and extensive root system which makes transplanting difficult[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

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