Prairie Dock

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Silphium terebinthinaceum

COMMON NAME: Prairie-dock, Prairie Rosinweed

BLOOM TIME: July, Aug, Sept

PLANT PROFILE:

• 3-10’tall, wand-like plant with deep 12’ roots.
• Clustered leaves at bottom are 16” long in a spade shape, and have a sandpaper texture.
• Flower heads 2-3”with 12-20 yellow aster-like petals.
• Leaves will feel cool to the touch on hot summer days' because its roots pull water from deep in the soil..
• Common to Illinois and prairies in particular.
• Native Americans used for root tea for weakness, intestinal worms, coughs and asthma.

INSECT/ANIMAL INTERACTIONS:

• Long tongued bees are the primary pollinator.
• Its seeds are eaten and spread by goldfinches.
• Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds will also visit the flowers for nectar.