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Summary

Physical Characteristics

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

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[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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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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Madia densifolia	Showy Tarweed	Annual	0.8	-	LMH	N	M	2	0
Madia dissitiflora	Grassy Tarweed	Annual	0.8	-	LMH	N	M	2	0
Madia glomerata	Mountain Tarweed	Annual	0.8	-	LMH	N	M	2	1	1
Madia sativa	Chile Tarweed, Coast tarweed	Annual	0.8	0-0	LMH	N	M	3	0	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.

Madia elegans - D.Don.