Silphium radula var. gracile

Stem are covered with stiff hairs, stem and flowers are very like Silphium laciniatum which has deeply lobed basal leaves. The basal rosette may be confused with Rumex crispa but are hairy and rough to touch while the leaves of Rumex are smooth.

Volunteers appeared under flowering plants in cultivation at the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, indicating that they resseed once established. Seed germination is improved by cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997).

Desirable to cattle as forage. Attracts butterflies. Also serves as a special value to native bees.

Found infrequently in sandy soils of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida. The sap was reportedly used like chewing gum by Plains Indians. Members of the genus Silphium tend to hybridize making their taxonomy difficult.

Sandy soil, roadsides, plains, meadows, pastures, savannas, and and prairies.