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Wyethia angustifolia - (DC.)Nutt.

Common Name California Compass Plant
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Seasonally moist meadows[200], open grassy slopes to 1600 metres in California[71].
Range Western N. America - Washington to California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Wyethia angustifolia California Compass Plant


Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Wyethia angustifolia California Compass Plant
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Wyethia angustifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked. They can be used as a piñole[168, 257]. The seed can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickener in soups or can be added to cereal flours when making bread etc[168, 257]. Young leaves - raw[168].

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.
Diaphoretic  Febrifuge  Poultice

A poultice of the pounded root has been used to draw blisters[257]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a bath to promote perspiration and thereby treat fevers[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A lemon-yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[168]. A gold to brass dye is obtained from the flowers, leaves and stems[168].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a free-draining, gritty but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants are intolerant of drought[200]. According to [200] this species requires climatic zone 9, meaning that it can only tolerate occasional light frosts. This is somewhat questionable since the plant's native range extends northwards to Washington where the winter temperatures often fall much lower than this.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse or cold frame in early spring. Use a very freely-draining compost, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are large enough. Careful division of the crown as the plants come into growth in spring[200].

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
Wyethia amplexicaulisMulesears Wyethia, Mule-earsPerennial0.8 4-8  LMNM31 
Wyethia helianthoidesSunflower Wyethia, Sunflower mule-earsPerennial0.0 0-0  LMNM30 
Wyethia longicaulisHumboldt MulesearsPerennial0.5 -  LMNM31 
Wyethia mollisWoolly Wyethia, Woolly mule-earsPerennial1.0 7-10  LMNM41 
Wyethia robusta Perennial0.6 -  LMNM10 

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

(DC.)Nutt.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

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