Silphium laciniatum
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Tried and True Recommended by 6 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: compass plant
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: Central United States
Garden Location: Christopher Biraben Butterfly Meadow
Height: 5 to 9 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poor soils.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Compass plant is a Missouri native perennial which occurs in prairies and glades throughout most of the State. A tall, sturdy, rough, bristly plant that grows on stiff, hairy, resinous stems to 9' tall. Features sunflower-like flowers (to 5" wide) with yellow rays and yellow center disks. Flowers bloom in loose spikes on the upper parts of the plant in summer. Very large, deeply pinnatifid (cut close to the midrib) basal leaves (to 18" long) are reminiscent of pin oak leaves. Upper leaves are smaller. Basal leaves usually orient themselves on a north-south axis so as to minimize intense overhead sun exposure, thus giving rise to the common name. Split or broken stems exude a gummy, fragrant-but-bitter resin which was used by Native Americans as a mouth-cleansing chewing gum. Many of the silphiums are commonly called rosinweed.

Plant of Merit

The deeply cut basal leaves of this Missouri native of the tallgrass prairie orient themselves on a north-south axis to minimize moisture loss from exposure to the hot overhead sun. Broken stems exude a gummy resin that Native Americans once used as a mouth-cleansing chewing gum. This is a coarse, bristly perennial that grows to 9 feet tall and features 5-inch diameter sunflower-like flowers from July to September. Excellent for naturalizing in cottage gardens, wildflower gardens and borders.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Slow to establish and may not flower until the second or third year.

Garden Uses

Good height for the rear of the border. Also excellent for naturalizing in prairies, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens or native plant gardens.

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