Prairie-Dock

Silphium terebinthinaceum

Unmistakable with to its enormous base of leaves, broad, saw-edged, and up to two feet long, from which the leafless stalks rise high bearing, on branches near the top, a loose panicle of spherical buds about 3/4 inch in diameter. These open as yellow composite flowers, 2-3 inches across. The plant has a very deep taproot which allows it to survive drought and prairie fires.

4-10 feet, sun.

Summer-Autumn (July-October).

  Notice the spherical bud in the background

11 July 2020.

Prairie-Dock, 17 July 2020.