Monday, January 6, 2014

Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum)

Compass plant is a hardy perennial plant native to North American mesic prairies and savannas.

Compass plants in Midwein National Tallgrass Prairie.

It is a very graceful plant that can reach over 10ft tall, but is usually around 7-9 feet tall. Compass plants are often referred to as the skyscrapers of the prairie because of their height.

Compass plant in full glory in the afternoon sun. They have attractive flowers and fern-like leaves. 

Compass plants look a lot like sunflowers because they are in the same tribe, Heliantheae.  They are sometimes cultivated in home gardens because they are quite attractive.

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