Grindelia squarrosa (Gumweed)
| Also known as: | Curlycup Gumweed, Curly-top Gumweed |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Grindelia |
| Family: | Asteraceae (Aster) |
| Life cycle: | annual, biennial, perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Status: |
|
| Habitat: | sun; fields, along roads |
| Bloom season: | summer, fall |
| Plant height: | 6 to 36 inches |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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Detailed Information
- Flower:
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/gumweed-100_2902-t.jpg)
3 to 20 flower heads per plant, 1-inch across with short yellow petals around a yellow center disk. Round, curled bracts surrounding each flower exude a sticky resin.
- Leaves:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/gumweed-100_1561-t.jpg)
Waxy leaves 1 to 2½ inches long with course teeth and often curled edges, generally oval with a pointed tip. Alternate attachment with no leaf stem.
- Notes:
- This plant is easily identified by its unusual bracts. The shape of the leaves reminds me of a succulent. It looked rather out of place in the middle of a field, surrounded by dry grasses.
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/gumweed-100_2902.jpg)
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/gumweed-100_1561.jpg)
More photos
overhead shot of plant just coming into bloomAll photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, July-September 2006.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2009-08-27 21:21:19
on: 2009-08-27 21:21:19
Most plants go by multiple names--some have a dozen or more common names, and may have multiple scientific names as well, all referring to the same plant. It can be very confusing.
Chances are the 2 are the same plant.
on: 2009-08-27 18:36:30
We visited Blue Mounds, Split Rock, Camden, and Shetek state park this last weekend. We observed gumweed at Blue Mounds (rock county) and Camden (Lyon county). Our book lists it as gumweed but I notice some books call it curly cup gumweed. There is also a pasture two miles from where I live in Brown county that is loaded with gumweed. Is this gumweed and curly cup gumweed one and the same.