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Madia densifolia - Greene.

Common Name Showy Tarweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry open places[60].
Range South-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 Full sun
Madia densifolia Showy Tarweed


Madia densifolia Showy Tarweed

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Madia densifolia is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 6in). 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. elegans densifolia. (Greene.)Keck.

Plant 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[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

We have very little information on this species and do not know how well it will grow in Britain, though it should succeed as a spring-sown annual. Some botanists say that it is no more than a form of M. elegans, a species that does succeed in this country. The following notes are based on the needs of that species. 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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Plant 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 Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada), Mexico (Baja California (Norte))

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 dissitifloraGrassy TarweedAnnual0.8 -  LMHNM20 
Madia elegansCommon Madia, Showy tarweed, Spring madia, Wheeler's tarweedAnnual1.5 0-0  LMHSNM20 
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Greene.

Botanical References

60

Links / References

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

Readers comment

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Subject : Madia densifolia  
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