Practical
Plants

Thelesperma megapotanicum

Navajo Tea

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Flower buds[2]. No more details are given. A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves and flowering stems[4][2]. When well made it is delicious, with just a hint of mint in its aftertaste[2].

Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Tea

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 plant has been used in the treatment of children with tuberculosis[4]. An infusion of the leaves and stems has been used as a 'nervous stimulant'[4]. An infusion of the leaves and stems has been used as a treatment for the teeth[4].

Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
TB

Material uses

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

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[6]. Reddish-brown according to another report[4]. A brown dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[6]. An orange-yellow dye can be obtained from the boiled roots[4].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Western N. America.
Habitat
Sandy or rocky prairies and roadsides in Texas[5]. Dry sandy soils in south-western S. Dakota.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in situ, only just covering the seed. In dry weather the seed should be watered in. Division might be possible.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun[3]. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, usually requiring cold greenhouse treatment[1]. According to one report this species might be no more than a synonym for T. gracile[2].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. 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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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