Common Name: California Compass Plant

General Information

Wyethia angustifolia is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a relatively large taproot; the erect stems are usually around 15 - 60cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Washington, Oregon, California.

Habitat

Seasonally moist meadows[]. Meadows, open grassy slopes, chaparral, wet to dry openings in pine and pine-oak forests; at elevations from 20 - 2,100 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

According to [] this species requires climatic zone 9, meaning that it can only tolerate occasional light frosts. This is somewhat questionable since the plant's native range extends northwards to Washington where the winter temperatures often fall much lower than this.
Requires a free-draining, gritty but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position[]. Plants are intolerant of drought[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked. They can be used as a piñole[, ]. The seed can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickener in soups or can be added to cereal flours when making bread etc[, ].

Young leaves - raw[].

Medicinal

A poultice of the pounded root has been used to draw blisters[].

A decoction of the leaves has been used as a bath to promote perspiration and thereby treat fevers[].

Other Uses

A lemon-yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[].
A gold to brass dye is obtained from the flowers, leaves and stems[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse or cold frame in early spring. Use a very freely-draining compost, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are large enough.
Careful division of the crown as the plants come into growth in spring[].