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Thelesperma megapotanicum - (Spreng.)Kuntze.

Common Name Navajo Tea
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy or rocky prairies and roadsides in Texas[274]. Dry sandy soils in south-western S. Dakota.
Range Western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Thelesperma megapotanicum Navajo Tea


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman
Thelesperma megapotanicum Navajo Tea
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman

 

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Summary

UPDATE: This plant, Thelesperma megapotamicum, was originally named Thelesperma megapotanicum in this database.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Thelesperma megapotanicum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) 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 dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Thelesperma megapotanicum

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses: Tea

Flower buds[183]. No more details are given. A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves and flowering stems[257, 183]. When well made it is delicious, with just a hint of mint in its aftertaste[183].

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.
Odontalgic  Stimulant  TB

The plant has been used in the treatment of children with tuberculosis[257]. An infusion of the leaves and stems has been used as a 'nervous stimulant'[257]. An infusion of the leaves and stems has been used as a treatment for the teeth[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[61]. Reddish-brown according to another report[257]. A brown dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[61]. An orange-yellow dye can be obtained from the boiled roots[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun[200]. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, usually requiring cold greenhouse treatment[1]. According to one report this species might be no more than a synonym for T. gracile[183].

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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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ, only just covering the seed. In dry weather the seed should be watered in. Division might be possible.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Argentina, Uruguay

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
Thelesperma gracileHopi tea greenthreadPerennial0.8 -  LMHNDM101
Thelesperma megapotamicumNavajo TeaPerennial0.5 -  LMHNDM111
Thelesperma trifidumStiff greenthreadAnnual/Biennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM11 

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

(Spreng.)Kuntze.

Botanical References

1274

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Steve Heil   Thu May 1 02:38:31 2003

I grow it in my garden in zone 5. I find it a very useful plant, as many of my Navajo friends and I love to drink the herbal tea brewed from it. Please check out my website as well as another website published by a Navajo reasearcher.

Link: High Desert Farmers Info on plant, good links, also offering garden-grown tea for sale

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