| Description | Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) is a very tall, long-lived native prairie plant. Topped with yellow daisy-like flowers. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (SIL-phee-um) |
| Plant Type | Perennials Hardy, Wild Flowers |
| Hardiness Zone | at least #5 |
| Sunlight | full |
| Moisture | prefers good moisture but is draught resistant |
| Soil & Site | prefers rich soils |
| Flowers | Bright yellow daisy-like flowers are found towards the top of 5-10', smooth shiny flower stalks. These are in bloom at the end of the summer to early fall (late July - August). |
| Fruit | achene |
| Leaves | Very large, somewhat heart shaped, dock-like leaves are found at the base of the plant. Leaves have a sand paper texture. |
| Roots | Forms a coarse woody tap root and has a resinous sap. |
| Dimensions | This plant can reach up to 10' depending on the growing conditions. |
| Propagation | Seeds that need to be cold stratified. |
| Native Site | Native to the prairies of North America |
| Misc Facts | The root was steeped by early settlers and used to cure a variety of female conditions. AKA Rosinweed. Rosin Weed |
| Author's Notes | This is rather an odd looking plant. Early in the summer the large, dock shaped leaves are easy to pick out in the prairie. As the summer progresses and the other plants fill in and the grasses are becoming taller the Prairie Dock shoots up this tall 2-10 foot, thin, smooth naked stem with a naked bulbous bud. I often wonder how they manage to stay upright. WHen the leaves are dry in the fall they make a clattering sound as the wind blows through them. |
| Notes & Reference | #09-The Prairie Garden (J. Robert Smith with Beatrice Smith), #56-Tall Grass Prairie Wildflowers (Doug Ladd), #224-Prairie Nursery web site (www.prairienursery.com) |
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