natural herbs
Chile Tarweed
Madia sativa
Herb: Chile Tarweed
Latin name: Madia sativa
Synonyms: Madia viscosa
Family: Compositae
Edible parts of Chile 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. The seed contains about 41% of a sweet edible oil, about 28% can be extracted from the seed in an oil press. Of a high quality, it can be used as a substitute for olive oil. The oil does not solidify until the temperature drops to -11°C.Description of the plant:
Plant:
AnnualHeight:
75 cm(2 feet)
Flowering:
July toAugust
Habitat of the herb:
Sand, gravel, open grassland and disturbed soils.Other uses of Chile Tarweed:
The seed is rich in an oil which is a good substitute for olive oil. It does not solidify until the temperature is lower than -11°C. A good lubricant, the oil is also used in soap making.Propagation of the herb:
Seed - sow in mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks.Cultivation of Chile Tarweed:
Sand, gravel, open grassland and disturbed soils.Medicinal use of the herb:
None knownKnown hazards of Madia sativa:
None knownPlant information taken from the Plants For A Future.