description Prairie Dock Overview
Prairie dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum, is a long-lived perennial in the aster family native to tallgrass prairies and open habitats of central North America. It forms a basal cluster of large, rough-textured leaves and sends up tall, mostly leafless stalks bearing yellow flower heads in summer. Its deep root system helps it survive drought and fire, while its flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other prairie insects.
insights Ranking position
Prairie Dock ranks #32 of 341 in the Wildflower ranking, behind Wild Blue Phlox, ahead of Wild Pansy.
help Prairie Dock FAQ
Why does prairie dock have huge leaves but nearly bare flower stalks?
Silphium terebinthinaceum concentrates its rough, broad leaves in a basal rosette close to the ground. Tall, mostly leafless stalks then lift its yellow flower heads above surrounding prairie grasses.
How deep are prairie dock roots?
Prairie dock develops a very deep taproot adapted to tallgrass prairie drought and fire. Established plants can reach moisture far below the surface, but that root also makes mature specimens difficult to transplant.
How is prairie dock different from compass plant?
Prairie dock is Silphium terebinthinaceum and has large, broadly shaped basal leaves. Compass plant, Silphium laciniatum, has deeply divided leaves that are often held in a more upright orientation.
How tall can prairie dock flower stalks get?
Its flowering stems can rise well above a person's waist and may approach roughly 8 feet under favorable conditions. The basal foliage remains much lower, creating a striking separation between leaves and yellow blooms.
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