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Common Name: Brittle Bush

General Information

Encelia farinosa is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 0.75 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - California to Utah and Arizona.

Habitat

Dry stony slopes to 1000 metres[]. Coastal scrub, stony desert hillsides from sea level to1000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a very warm sunny position in a deep very well-drained soil[, ]. Plants strongly resent wet conditions, especially in the winter[].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[]. Another report says that the plants will tolerate temperatures down to -12°c if they are in quite dry conditions[]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Plants have a taproot and resent root disturbance[]. They should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small, though they will then need protection from the cold for their first winter or so[].

Edible Uses

A gum that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used for chewing[, , ]. It is aromatic[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the blossoms, leaves and stems has been held in the mouth to alleviate a toothache[]. A poultice of the plant has been used to alleviate pain[].

Other Uses

A resin that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used as a glue and as an incense in the home and in church[, , , , ]. It has also been used to waterproof containers and has been melted then used as a varnish[].
The resinous branches have been used to make a quick fire[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle[]. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter, making sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the tap root, and plant out in early summer.
Cuttings, in pure sand, in a frame[]. The report does not specify the type of cutting.