Madia elegans - Tarweed

Description

This beautiful Tarweed is widespread in California, growing in foothill woodland and mixed coniferous forest communities. The yellow and maroon flower heads will close at midday in the hot sun to protect the pollen, and then reopen in the late afternoon. The glandular resin in the leaves and stems gives the plant its common name, Tarweed. The rich oily seeds were gathered by some Native Americans in midsummer and used to make a thin mush. All the madias were used medicinally by the Spanish settlers.