Compass Plant

Silphium laciniatum

 

How it's classified:

  Plant Type:

  forb

 Plant Family:

   Composite

How it looks:

  Flower Color:

  yellow

  Height:

  tall

 Blooming Months:

 June July August September

Where, when and how often it grows and if it's native to Fermilab:

Typical Habitat:

   prairie

  Growth Pattern:

  perennial

 How Common:

  common

 Native to Fermilab:

 Yes

Comments:

The leaf is oriented in a north-south direction to expose the least amount of leaf surface to the sun. The plant transpires water to keep itself cool. By orienting itself, it minimizes the amount of transpiration. Prairie dock has flowers at the top of smooth, naked stems, while compass plants have leaves and flowers on the hairy stem.

Additional Pictures:

 

 

Web Maintainer: ed-webmaster@fnal.gov
Last Update: May 18, 1998