description Compass Plant Overview
Compass plant is the common name for Silphium laciniatum, a long-lived perennial of the North American prairies. It has tall flowering stems, yellow flower heads, and deeply divided basal leaves that are commonly described as having a north-south orientation, an adaptation associated with reducing exposure to intense midday sunlight. The species is native to prairie and open grassland habitats and is valued as a characteristic plant of those ecosystems.
help Compass Plant FAQ
Why is Silphium laciniatum called compass plant?
Compass plant is named for the common north-south orientation of its deeply divided basal leaves. This alignment is commonly described as an adaptation that helps manage strong prairie sunlight.
Where does compass plant naturally grow?
Compass plant is a long-lived perennial of the North American prairies. It is adapted to open grassland conditions rather than dense forest shade.
What do compass plant flowers look like?
Compass plant produces tall flowering stems topped with yellow flower heads. Its basal leaves are deeply divided and are the feature most associated with the common name.
What is the scientific name of compass plant?
The scientific name is Silphium laciniatum. It is a prairie perennial in the daisy family, Asteraceae.
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