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Grindelia squarrosa - (Pursh.)Dunal.

Common Name Rosin Weed, Curlycup gumweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards The plant contains the carcinogen safrole[274].
Habitats Prairies, plains and dry banks[4, 43].
Range N. America - Minnesota to British Columbia, south to California and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Grindelia squarrosa Rosin Weed, Curlycup gumweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Miwasatoshi
Grindelia squarrosa Rosin Weed, Curlycup gumweed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Maylett

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Grindelia squarrosa is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum  Tea

The fresh or dried leaves can be used to make an aromatic, slightly bitter but pleasing tea[183]. A sticky resinous sap that covers the leaves can be used as a chewing gum substitute[183].

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.
Antispasmodic  Eczema  Expectorant  Homeopathy  Poultice  Sedative

Rosin weed was used by the native North American Indians to treat bronchial problems and also skin afflictions such as reactions to poison ivy[254]. It is still used in modern herbalism where it is valued especially as a treatment for bronchial asthma and for states where phlegm in the airways impedes respiration[254]. In addition, it is believed to desensitize the nerve endings in the bronchial tree and slow the heart rate, thus leading to easier breathing[254]. The plant merits investigation as a treatment for asthma[222]. The herb is contraindicated for patients with kidney or heart complaints[254]. The dried leaves and flowering tops are antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant and sedative[4, 46, 207, 212, 238, 254]. The principal use of this herb is in the treatment of bronchial catarrh, especially when there is an asthmatic tendency, it is also used to treat whooping cough and cystitis[4, 254]. The active principle is excreted from the kidneys, and this sometimes produces signs of renal irritation[4, 238]. Externally, the plant is used as a poultice to treat burns, poison ivy rash, dermatitis, eczema and skin eruptions[212, 213, 222, 238]. The plant is harvested when in full bloom and can be used fresh as a poultice or dried for infusions etc[254]. A fluid extract is prepared by placing the freshly gathered leaves and flowers in a small quantity of simmering water for about 15 minutes[213]. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the leaves and flowering stems[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye  Gum

Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the flowering heads and pods[168]. Aromatic.

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Management: Hay  Wild Crop

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[200]. Does well on dry sandy banks and in poor soils[200]. Prefers a peaty loam soil[1]. This is one of the first species to invade disturbed or denuded ground and often becomes a serious weed of grazing land[212]. A very polymorphic plant[43].

Carbon Farming

  • Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
  • Management: Hay  Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
  • Wild Crop  Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cool greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Prick out the plants into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division as new growth commences in the spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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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
Grindelia camporumGumplant, Great Valley gumweed, Bract gumweedAnnual/Perennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM031
Grindelia hirsutulaGumweed, Gum PlantPerennial1.0 8-11 FLMNDM033
Grindelia humilisHairy GumweedPerennial1.5 7-10  LMNDM021
Grindelia lanceolataRosin Weed, Narrowleaf gumweed, Texan gumweedBiennial/Perennial1.5 4-8  LMNDM131
Grindelia robustaGreat Valley GumweedPerennial0.6 6-9  LMNDM121

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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Author

(Pursh.)Dunal.

Botanical References

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Links / References

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Subject : Grindelia squarrosa  
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