Description

Silphium laciniatum (Compass Flower, Compass Plant) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Silphium. It is native to east-central North America, from southern Ontario and New York south to Alabama and west across the prairies to North Dakota and Colorado south to Texas.  Compass Plant can be found in nearly all soil types.  The leaves’ edges line up with North and South, thus the name ‘Compass Plant’. The early Settlers used it to guide their way.

The taproot of the compass plant may grow to more than 9-14 ft. deep, making it hardy and resistant to drought.  It has been known to live 100 years!

Growth

It is a perennial herbaceous plant similar in appearance to a sunflower, growing to 1-4 m tall, with bristly-hairy stems. The leaves are alternately arranged, and deeply pinnately lobed; the basal leaves up to 40 cm long, becoming smaller higher up the stem. The flowers are produced in flowerheads (capitula) 5-12 cm diameter, with a ring of ray florets surrounding the 2-3 cm diameter center of disc florets. Flowering is in late summer, typically from July to September.

Medicinal uses

The plant was used in Native American herbal medicine as a vermifuge, and to treat coughs and asthma.