Herb: Grassy Tarweed


Latin name: Madia dissitiflora


Synonyms: Madia gracilis


Family: Compositae



Edible parts of Grassy Tarweed:

Seed - raw or cooked. Although quite small, the seed was a staple food for some native North American Indian tribes. Rich in oil, it can be roasted then ground into a powder and eaten dry, mixed with water, or combined with cereal flours. The seed was also used as piäole.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
75 cm
(2 feet)

Flowering:
July to
August

Habitat of the herb:

Dry open places.

Propagation of Grassy Tarweed:

Seed - sow in mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks.

Cultivation of the herb:

Dry open places.

Medicinal use of Grassy Tarweed:

None known

Known hazards of Madia dissitiflora:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.