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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Cleome serrulata is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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 dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cleome integrifolia. Peritoma integrifolia.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Seedpod Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots, leaves and flowers are cooked and used as potherbs[46, 105, 161, 183]. The plants were gathered and, after removing an alkaline taste[46], were eaten with cornmeal porridge[61, 183]. The plant smells like a skunk, but it was an important potherb for the native North American Indians and the early European settlers in America[207]. Seed - raw or cooked[257]. It can be dried and ground into a meal then used as a mush or mixed with flour to make bread etc[85, 183, 207, 257]. Seedpods - cooked[183]. The hardened cakes of dyestuff (see note on the plants other uses) can be soaked in hot water and then eaten fried[207].

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.
Deodorant Febrifuge

An infusion of the plant is drunk in the treatment of fevers and stomach disorders[213, 257]. A poultice made from the pounded, soaked leaves has been applied to sore eyes[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Deodorant Dye

A black dye is obtained[46, 61, 85] by boiling down the whole plant[95]. It is used as a paint for decorating pottery[207]. The young plants are harvested in mid-summer, boiled well in water, the woody parts of the plant are removed and the decoction is boiled again until it becomes thick and turns black. This thick liquid is then poured onto a board to dry in cakes and can be kept for an indefinite period. When needed it is soaked in hot water until the correct consistency for paint is achieved[207]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a body and shoe deodorant[257].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light fertile soil in a warm dry sunny position with plenty of room to spread[200]. A frost tender plant, it can be grown as a summer annual in Britain[200]. A very good bee plant, it is often planted by apiarists in America[207]. This plant was probably cultivated by the N. American Indians[85]. The Indians would allow the plant to produce seed when it was growing wild in the cornfields in order to ensure a supply the following year[216].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow or only lightly cover the seed in spring in a greenhouse[164]. The seed usually germinates in 5 - 14 days at 25°c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring. Day time temperatures below 20°c depress germination but a night time fall to 20° is necessary[164].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Clammy weed, Stinking clover, Rocky Mountain beeplant/beeweed, stinking-clover,bee spiderflower, bee spider-flower, skunk weed, Navajo spinach, and guaco

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Cleome gynandra	African Spider Flower, Spiderwisp	Annual	1.3	8-12	LM	N	DM	0	2	0
Cleome lutea	Yellow Spiderflower, Jones spiderflower	Annual	1.2	3-8	LM	N	DM	2	1	1
Cleome monophylla		Annual	0.5	-	LM	N	DM	2	1
Cleome ornithopodioides	Bird spiderflower	Annual	0.3	0-0	LM	N	DM	1	0
Cleome viscosa	Tickweed, Asian spiderflower	Annual	1.5	0-0	LM	N	DM	2	2

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.

Cleome serrulata - Pursh.