Wyethia angustifolia
| Wyethia angustifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Wyethia angustifolia (common name: california compass plant)
Propagation: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse or cold frame in early spring. Use a very freely-draining compost, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are large enough.
Careful division of the crown as the plants come into growth in spring[1].
Cultivation: Requires a free-draining, gritty but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position[1]. Plants are intolerant of drought[1].
According to [1] this species requires climatic zone 9, meaning that it can only tolerate occasional light frosts. This is somewhat questionable since the plant's native range extends northwards to Washington where the winter temperatures often fall much lower than this.
Range: Western N. America - Washington to California.
Habitat: Seasonally moist meadows[1], open grassy slopes to 1600 metres in California[2].
Edibility: Seed - cooked. They can be used as a piñole[3][4]. The seed can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickener in soups or can be added to cereal flours when making bread etc[3][4].
Young leaves - raw[3].
Medicinal: A poultice of the pounded root has been used to draw blisters[4].
A decoction of the leaves has been used as a bath to promote perspiration and thereby treat fevers[4].
Usage: A lemon-yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[3].
A gold to brass dye is obtained from the flowers, leaves and stems[3].
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 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.