Grindelia robusta
| Grindelia robusta | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Grindelia robusta (common name: great valley gumweed)
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.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[1]. Does well on dry sandy banks and in poor soils[1].
Plants tend to concentrate selenium in the leaves and stems, this is especially noticeable on soils that are relatively rich in that element[2].
Some authorities class this species as a synonym of G. camporum.
Range: South-western N. America.
Habitat: By the coast[2] in sunny well-drained situations[1]. Thrives in dry areas and salty plains[3].
Edibility: Leaves - raw[4].
Medicinal: The leaves and flowering tops are antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, balsamic, demulcent, expectorant, sedative, stomachic and a vascular tonic[5][3][2][6][7][8][9]. Blood purifier[5]. The plant is applied externally as a compress on inflamed or irritated areas of the skin[3][4]. Used internally, it slows down the heartbeat and reduces the stimulation of the nerve endings in the air passages that causes coughing - it is therefore extremely effective as a calming agent in the treatment of asthma[3].
The fluid extract is prepared by placing the freshly gathered leaves and flowers in a small quantity of simmering water for about 15 minutes[9].
The plant is used to treat people affected by poison-ivy[9].
Usage: Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the flowering heads and pods[10]. Aromatic.
A decoction of the roots has been used as a hair shampoo to kill lice[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.