Plant
Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatumAlso known as Compassplant
Compass plant is a towering prairie perennial with deeply divided rough leaves and yellow sunflower-like flower heads. Many basal leaves orient their edges roughly north and south, reducing exposure to intense midday sun.
prairie wildflowerdeep rootedyellow flower
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyProduces energy through photosynthesis and reaches deep soil moisture with a substantial taproot
Predators
- weevils
- leaf beetles
- grazing mammals
ThreatsPrairie conversion, inappropriate mowing, herbicides, invasive plants, and altered fire regimes
HabitatsTallgrass prairie, open glades, dry savanna, and undisturbed sunny roadsides
Life spanA long-lived perennial that may survive for many decades
Classification
- FamilyAsteraceae
- SpeciesSilphium laciniatum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Do not dig the deep taproot or collect flower heads from remnant prairie.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Look for deeply cut coarse leaves and widely spaced yellow heads on a tall stalk.
- Observe: Compare leaf orientation around midday without leaving established paths.
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