Chile Tarweed, Coast tarweed
Madia sativa

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Madia sativa is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.8

Where it is found

Sand, gravel, open grassland and disturbed soils.

S. America - Chile.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

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. 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.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

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.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any good garden soil. Prefers a deep open sharply drained soil in a sunny position. This species is sometimes cultivated in Europe for the oil in its seed. The flowers open in the morning or evening, closing when exposed to bright sunlight.

Propagating it: Seed - sow in mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. viscosa.