Common Name: Chile Tarweed

General Information

Madia sativa is a strongly aromatic, annual plant growing 20 - 240cm tall[]. The whole plant is covered in a sticky substance[].
The edible seeds were commonly gathered from the wild and eaten by various local people. Nowadays the plant has been recognised as having potential for development as a future oil crop and it is cultivated in parts of Europe, S. America and elsewhere[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - British Columbia to California; Western S. America - Chile, western Argentina

Habitat

Sand, gravel, open grassland and disturbed soils[]. Grasslands, openings in shrublands and woods, disturbed sites, stream banks, roadsides; at elevations from sea level to 1,000 metres in N. America[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant[], it succeeds in any good garden soil[]. Prefers a deep open sharply drained soil in a sunny position[].
The flowers open in the morning or evening, closing when exposed to bright sunlight[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[]. Although quite small, the seed was a staple food for some native North American Indian tribes[]. Rich in oil, it can be roasted then ground into a powder and eaten dry, mixed with water, or combined with cereal flours[, , , ]. The seed was also used as piñole[].
A plant of the temperate zone, it should be able to be grown as an annual, at least at higher elevations in the Tropics.
The seed contains about 41% of a sweet edible oil. About 28% can be extracted from the seed in an oil press[, , ]. Of a high quality, it can be used as a substitute for olive oil[, ]. The oil does not solidify until the temperature drops to -11°c[].

Root[].

Medicinal

The seed is used in traditional medicine[].

Other Uses

The seed is rich in an oil which is a good substitute for olive oil. It does not solidify until the temperature is lower than -11°c. A good lubricant, the oil is also used in soap making[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow in mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks.
The seeds retain viability for at least a year when stored in a cool, dry place[].