Herb: Sunflower Wyethia


Latin name: Wyethia helianthoides


Family: Compositae



Edible parts of Sunflower Wyethia:

Root - cooked. The native North American Indians dug pits in the ground which they lined with large stones. They then burnt a fire on top of the stones until the stones were hot. The roots were placed on these hot stones, sealed in with fern leaves and earth and then fermented for one or two days.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Flowering:
June
to July

Habitat of the herb:

Moist or wet meadows at moderate elevations in mountains.

Propagation of Sunflower Wyethia:

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse or cold frame in early spring. Use a very freely-draining compost, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are large enough. Careful division of the crown as the plants come into growth in spring.

Cultivation of the herb:

Moist or wet meadows at moderate elevations in mountains.

Medicinal use of Sunflower Wyethia:

None known

Known hazards of Wyethia helianthoides:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.