natural herbs
Guayule
Parthenium argentatum

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Herb: Guayule

Latin name: Parthenium argentatum

Family: Compositae

Description of the plant:

Habitat of Guayule:

Limestone ridges and highly calcareous soils in arid and semi-arid habitats.

Other uses of the herb:

A source of rubber obtained by mechanical maceration of the roots and/or stems. Yields of up to 240 kilos per hectare per year are possible (harvested when plants are 5 years old).

Propagation of Guayule:

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation of the herb:

Limestone ridges and highly calcareous soils in arid and semi-arid habitats.

Medicinal use of Guayule:

None known

Known hazards of Parthenium argentatum:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.