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Grindelia - Greene.

Common Name Gumplant, Great Valley gumweed, Bract gumweed
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards Large doses used medicinally can irritate the kidneys[165].
Habitats Dry banks, rocky fields and plains, low alkaline ground in California[71].
Range Western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Grindelia Gumplant, Great Valley gumweed,  Bract gumweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Grindelia Gumplant, Great Valley gumweed,  Bract gumweed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jeantosti

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Grindelia is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor 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

G. robusta rigida.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

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.


Gumplant was used by the native North American Indians to treat bronchial problems and also skin afflictions such as reactions to poison ivy[254]. It is still used in modern herbalism where it is valued especially as a treatment for bronchial asthma and for states where phlegm in the airways impedes respiration[254]. In addition, it is believed to desensitize the nerve endings in the bronchial tree and slow the heart rate, thus leading to easier breathing[254]. The herb is contraindicated for patients with kidney or heart complaints[254]. The dried leaves and flowering tops are antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant and sedative[4, 61, 165, 238]. The principal use of this herb is in the treatment of bronchial catarrh, especially when there is an asthmatic tendency, it is also used to treat whooping cough and cystitis[4, 61, 238]. The active principle is excreted from the kidneys, and this sometimes produces signs of renal irritation[4, 238]. Externally, the plant is used to treat burns, poison ivy rash, dermatitis, eczema and skin eruptions[61, 238]. The plant is harvested when in full bloom and can be used fresh as a poultice or dried for infusions etc[238]. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the leaves and flowering stems[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the flowering heads and pods[168]. Aromatic. A possible substitute for wood rosin, used in the manufacture of adhesives etc[160]. This report probably refers to the resin that covers the flower buds.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[200]. Does well on dry sandy banks and in poor soils[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. All parts of the plant have a balsamic odour[238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cool greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Prick out the plants into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (California)

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
Grindelia camporumGumplant, Great Valley gumweed, Bract gumweedAnnual/Perennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM031
Grindelia hirsutulaGumweed, Gum PlantPerennial1.0 8-11 FLMNDM033
Grindelia humilisHairy GumweedPerennial1.5 7-10  LMNDM021
Grindelia lanceolataRosin Weed, Narrowleaf gumweed, Texan gumweedBiennial/Perennial1.5 4-8  LMNDM131
Grindelia robustaGreat Valley GumweedPerennial0.6 6-9  LMNDM121
Grindelia squarrosaRosin Weed, Curlycup gumweedBiennial/Perennial1.0 3-7  LMNDM231

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

71200

Links / References

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