Silphium terebinthinaceum - Prairie Dock

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Ontario to Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana.

Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Prairie Dock will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Prairie Dock will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Prairie Dock prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Prairie Dock can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Prairies, dry woods and glades[222, 235].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a deep moisture retentive moderately fertile soil that is not too nitrogen rich, in sun or dappled shade[200]. Succeeds in the wild or woodland garden[200]. Plants have a deep and extensive root system which makes transplanting difficult[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
A tea made from the roots is vermifuge and a tonic for general debility[4, 61, 222]. A tea made from the leaves is emetic, it has been used in the treatment of coughs, lung ailments and asthma[4, 61, 222]. A resin in the plant is diuretic[4, 61, 222].

• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Emetic - Induces vomiting.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Vermifuge - Expels and kills internal parasites.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[188]. This is very difficult due to the deep and extensive root system.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A gum or resin that is obtained from the stem can be chewed to cleanse the mouth and teeth[207].

• Gum - Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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