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Madia elegans - D.Don.

Common Name Common Madia, Showy tarweed, Spring madia, Wheeler's tarweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry open places and roadsides[60].
Range Western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Madia elegans Common Madia, Showy tarweed, Spring madia, Wheeler


Madia elegans Common Madia, Showy tarweed, Spring madia, Wheeler
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Madia elegans is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - raw or cooked[105, 161, 257]. Although quite small, the seed was a staple food for some native North American Indian tribes[257]. Rich in oil, it can be roasted then ground into a powder and eaten dry, mixed with water, or combined with cereal flours[105, 161, 257]. The seed was also used as piñole[105, 257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any good garden soil[1]. Prefers a deep open sharply drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Another report says that it is best in a shady position[1]. The flowers open in the morning or evening, closing when exposed to bright sunlight[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow in mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Madia densifoliaShowy TarweedAnnual0.8 -  LMHNM20 
Madia dissitifloraGrassy TarweedAnnual0.8 -  LMHNM20 
Madia glomerataMountain TarweedAnnual0.8 -  LMHNM211
Madia sativaChile Tarweed, Coast tarweedAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHNM302

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

D.Don.

Botanical References

60200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Madia elegans  
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