Compass Plant

Plant Profile
	Common Name: Compass Plant Other names: Rosin Weed Species Name: Silphium laciniatum Plant Type: Forb Family Name: Asteraceae, Sunflower Family

Plant Profile

Common Name: Compass Plant

Other names: Rosin Weed

Species Name: Silphium laciniatum

Plant Type: Forb

Family Name: Asteraceae, Sunflower Family

Plant Facts
Origin	Native
Duration	Perennial
Distribution in the U.S.	Midwest, from Minnesota south to Arkansas and Texas
Distribution in Oklahoma	Throughout the state, highest populations in center half of state

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Very large multi-forked, lobed, “oak-like” leaves that come from base of plant
- Stems have rough texture; ooze a thick sap when broken
- Name derived from leaf blades planar direction; up-and-down, “north/south”
Floral
- Large yellow flower heads on tall, erect stem
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Simple
- Leaf Arrangement: Basal, alternate
- Leaf Shape: Deeply lobed (laciniate to pinnatifid)
- Stipules: Absent
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 15+
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flower Timing: July-September
- Fruit Type: Achene

Habitat/Ecology
Soil Type	Loam, clay, sandy and rocky soil
Habitat	Tallgrass prairie
Successional Stage	Mid to late

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