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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect to spreading, often solitary, short-branched above, glabrous.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, sessile, clasping, oblong to ovate, .5 to 2.75 inches long, .25 to .75 inch wide, dotted with minute resinous glands; margins toothed to occasionally entire; tips blunt to pointed; upper leaves reduced.
- Inflorescence
- Heads, several to numerous, terminal, 1 to 1.5 inches wide; bracts overlapping, sticky; tips turning outward.
- Flower
- Ray florets 12-37, about 1/2 inch long, yellow; disk florets numerous, dark yellow.
- Fruit
- Achenes, small, ribbed, tipped with 2-8 fine-toothed awns, enclosing small seed.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Dry, disturbed sites, waste areas, and roadsides.
- Distribution
- Throughout, more frequently in north 1/2 of Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Livestock find curly-cup gumweed unpalatable due to the tannins, oils, and resins it contains.
- Uses
- Many Great Plains tribes used this plant medicinally to treat coughs, colds, stomachaches, liver disorders, snow-blindness, and as a wash for saddle sores.
Additional Notes
Comments
The common name comes from the resinous sap and curling bracts of the flowering heads. The roots can grow to 6 feet long, giving plants good drought resistance.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Biennial
- Height
- 4-40 inches
- Last Updated
- 2021-02-20
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: June, July, August, September