Wildflower Wednesday

This week’s Wildflower Wednesday feature flower is Rosinweed.

Silphium integrifolium commonly known as Rosinweed, is native to WI and can be found blooming in prairies July – September.

The name Rosinweed is a reference to the sap or resin that it secretes from its stem when broken.

The resin was used by early settlers and Native American as a chewing gum. It was also used as a pain reliever and to treat urinary tract infections.

Because it is drought and disease resistant, studies are being done to determine if it can be grown domestically as an replacement for oilseed crops such as sunflower, canola and soy.

Its yellow flowers symbolize optimism, happiness, and the radiance of life.