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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Encelia farinosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower in May. 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 dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum

A gum that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used for chewing[61, 161, 177]. It is aromatic[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.
Analgesic Odontalgic

A decoction of the blossoms, leaves and stems has been held in the mouth to alleviate a toothache[257]. A poultice of the plant has been used to alleviate pain[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Adhesive Fuel Gum Incense Resin Varnish Waterproofing

A resin that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used as a glue and as an incense in the home and in church[61, 177, 181, 207, 257]. It has also been used to waterproof containers and has been melted then used as a varnish[257]. The resinous branches have been used to make a quick fire[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Specimen. Requires a very warm sunny position in a deep very well-drained soil[200, 260]. Plants strongly resent wet conditions, especially in the winter[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. Another report says that the plants will tolerate temperatures down to -12°c if they are in quite dry conditions[260]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. Plants have a taproot and resent root disturbance[200]. They should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small, though they will then need protection from the cold for their first winter or so[K]. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant foliage, Blooms are very showy.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle[200]. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter, making sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the tap root, and plant out in early summer. Cuttings, in pure sand, in a frame[200]. The report does not specify the type of cutting.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

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.

Encelia farinosa - Gray.