Compass Plant

Flowering heads have from 15 to 30 yellow ray flowers, surrounding a central cluster of yellow disc flowers. Involucral bracts are hairy, large, and broadly ovate, with pronounced recurved-tips that taper to a long, narrow point. Flowering heads are distributed sparsely along the tall upper stem, which has a "zig-zag" appearance. The upper stem may bear clear drops of resin. Leaves are highly lobed, almost to the point of being compound, and are larger and more densely clustered at the base of the stem. Basal leaves may exceed 6 dm in length. Leaves attach individually, by a petiole that bears small wings. Leaf edges may be aligned in a north-south direction, hence the name compass plant. Areas where compass plants are found are often assumed to be remnants of native prairie. However, compass plants may also occur in prairie plantings or reconstructed sites, such as Red Feather Prairie at Saylorville Lake. Blooms from July into September. Native to N. A.