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Curlycup Gumweed
Scientific Name:
Grindelia squarrosa
Type:
Herbaceous Plant
Habitat:
Prairies and disturbed areas
Range:
North America
Status:
No listed status
This species is
NATIVE
to the Truckee Meadows.
Identification:
Curlycup gumweed is often found on roadsides and grasslands in the summer months. They are approximately one foot tall with slightly serrated leaves which often turn towards the sun. The yellow flowers found on curlycup gumweed are about one inch wide and bloom facing the sun.
Fast Facts:
Curlycup gumweed is a member of the sunflower family. They are known for their gummy resin which is found on their flowers which is sometimes used as a chewing gum. Many plants in the Grindelia family are used as a medicine for bronchitis and the common cold.
Their flowers have been used as medicine by Native American populations. The flowers help heal skin that has been irritated by poison oak or burned.
Green and yellow dyes can be extracted from the flower heads.
Curlycup gumweed is not favorable among ranchers due to its high nutrient extraction from the soil, and it is not eaten by livestock.
While native to western North America, curlycup gumweed is spreading to the East Coast.
Sources:
U.S. Forest Service, Curlycup Gumweed, 2021, https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/grindelia_squarrosa.shtml
Lady Bird Wildflower Center, Grindelia squarrosa, 2021, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GRSQ
Image: Andrey Zharkikh, https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/44122751011, license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/, cropped from original.
Image: Andrey Zharkikh, https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/29185117467, license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/, cropped from original.
Contributor(s):
Bridget Mulkerin (research & content)
Alex Shahbazi (edits & page design)