Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
[C-value
5]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms
mid-June -
mid-September
The native Compass Plant is uncommon in our area. It prefers full sun and moist to slightly dry conditions and a deep loamy soil for the deep taproot (up to 15'). It is a typical plant of black-soil tallgrass prairies. Other habitats include savannas, glades, and areas along railroads. The thick hairy central stem of this perennial can grow to 12' tall. The larger basal leaves are 12-24" long and about half as wide and deeply lobed. The inflorescence is very tall and elongated, with yellow flowers about 3-4" across with about 25 bright yellow rays. The flowers resemble wild sunflowers in size, shape, and structure. A mature plant has 6-30 flowers that later produce large seed heads.
Compass Plant at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve July 12, 2013
Compass Plant at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve August 14, 2013
Compass Plant foliage at Subat Forest Preserve August 14, 2013
Split or broken stems exude a gummy, fragrant-but-bitter resin which Native Americans used as a mouth-cleansing chewing gum.
Compass Plant leaf (almost 2' long) at Maramech Forest Preserve June 26, 2013
The large lower leaves usually orient themselves on a north-south axis to minimize intense overhead sun exposure; hence, the common name.
Compass Plant(s) at Richard Young Forest Preserve August 20, 2013
The compass plant with its deep tap root system can survive droughts and live to 100 years or more.
Compass Plant fall foliage at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve November 5, 2014
Gum from the Compass Plant's stem was used as chewing gum by some Native American children. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice.
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