Showy Tarweed
Madia densifolia

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Madia densifolia is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 6in). 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

Dry open places.

South-western N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

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.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

We have very little information on this species and do not know how well it will grow in Britain, though it should succeed as a spring-sown annual. Some botanists say that it is no more than a form of M. elegans, a species that does succeed in this country. The following notes are based on the needs of that species. Succeeds in any good garden soil. Prefers a deep open sharply drained soil in a sunny position. Another report says that it is best in a shady position. 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:

Growth:

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. elegans densifolia. (Greene.)Keck.