NAME: PRAIRIE DOCK Selphium terebinthinaceum
DESCRIPTION:
Leaf: These are a most distinctive
part of theis plant in that they are rough like sandpaper and are confined
to the base of the plant. Broadly ovate and cordate at the base, with
blades often more than 40 cm long and up to 30 cm wide.
Flower: Numerous, yellow heads have both
ray and disk flowers ranging from 3.5 to 8 cm broad. Rays number from
12 to 20 per head.
Present late June to late September.
Stem: Nearly leafless central stem 3-8
feet.
DISCUSSION:
A warm season perennial belonging to the
Compositae or aster family. It is one of the four Illinois species of
Silphium. This species forms a gum or rosin which is used in various
ways. It was chewed by early settlers as a gum.
This plant is a hallmark of our once vast prairies.
DISTRIBUTION:
Throughout most of the Midwest, but not west
of Iowa.
IMAGES:
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COPYRIGHT:
© Copyright 2002, L&T Natural Images and Madsion
Jr. High, all rights reserved. Contact information: email at lcwik@naperville203.org or tcoutts@naperville203.org
REFERENCES:
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie Pants of
Illinois.
Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 1985.
Young, Dick. Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas. 2nd
ed. Geneva, Il:
Kane County Illinois Forest Preserve District, 1994.
Want more images of these and many other Prairie Plants? Check
out this site! Fermilabs "Particles
and Prairie" site.
Interested in restoring a prairie parcel of your own? Try this one!
Prairie
Parcel Restoration.
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