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Silphium laciniatum
  • Compass Plant

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Silphium laciniatum has 0 edible uses listed
Silphium laciniatum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

There is a report that the plant might be toxic[1].

Edible uses

Notes

A resin exudes naturally from the plant, and can also be obtained by incision[2]. It is an inexpensive substitute for mastic and is used as a chewing gum to sweeten the breath[2][3][4][5]. It forms on the upper part of the flowering stem[6].

Unknown part

Gum

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Silphium laciniatum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The resin obtained from the plant is diuretic[2][3][1]. It imparts a strong aromatic odour to urine[2].

A tea made from the roots is vermifuge and a tonic for general debility[2][3][1]. It is used as an expectorant in coughs and other pulmonary ailments[2]. A decoction of the smaller roots has been used as an emetic[5].

A tea made from the leaves is emetic, it has also been used in the treatment of coughs, lung ailments and asthma[1].

Unknown part

Diuretic
Emetic
Expectorant
Tonic
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[7]. 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[8]. This is very difficult due to the deep and extensive root system.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Silphium laciniatum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil[9]. Prefers a deep moisture retentive moderately fertile soil that is not too nitrogen rich, in sun or dappled shade[7]. Prefers a shady position[7].

A very ornamental plant[9]. Leaves of young plants tip vertically and align themselves north to south to minimise exposure to the midday sun[7].

Plants have a deep and extensive root system which makes transplanting difficult[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Silphium laciniatum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Silphium laciniatum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Silphium laciniatum
Genus
Silphium
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[2][3][1][5]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[10][7][11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Compass plant.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Compass plant.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Compass plant.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Compass plant.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    "image:Compass plant.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.7 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-43
    11. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)

    "image:Compass plant.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Silphium_laciniatum&oldid=80889"
    Facts about "Silphium laciniatum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusSilphium +
    Has binomial nameSilphium laciniatum +
    Has common nameCompass Plant +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useGum +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageCompass plant.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiuretic +, Emetic +, Expectorant +, Tonic + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageCompass plant.jpg +
    Has search namesilphium laciniatum + and compass plant +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameSilphium laciniatum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Silphium laciniatum +, Silphium laciniatum +, Silphium laciniatum +, Silphium laciniatum +, Silphium laciniatum + and Silphium laciniatum +