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Common Name: Giant Sumpweed

General Information

Cyclachaena xanthifolia is an annual plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Most regions of N. America except the southeast and far north. A casual in Britain[].

Habitat

Disturbed sites: abandoned fields, bottomlands, flood plains, stream banks at elevations of 1 - 1300 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know its cultivation needs. However, it is likely to succeed in most soils that are not too heavy or wet and will probably prefer a sunny position.
The pollen of this species is one of the main causes of hay fever[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion or decoction of the plant has been drunk and used as a lotion in the treatment of coughs and influenza[]. A poultice of the plant has been used in the treatment of boils[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species, but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring, only just covering the seed and ensuring it does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring.