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Aster (Asteraceae)

ISM Herbarium : Prairie Herbs : Aster (Asteraceae)

Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant)
Compass Plants are common along roadsides and in mesic and sry prairies. The large leaves of the point north and south, giving the plant its common name.
Compass Plant has huge basal leave that are deeply divided and the segments of which are divided. The smaller alternate stem leaves are also divided. The plant grows from three to eight feet tall. Flower heads are two to over four inches across. They consist of yellow central disk flowers surrounded by many (about 17-34) yellow ray flowers that appear from late spring through summer.

Collection of the Illinois State Museum
ISM Herbarium Sheet #: 21311

<i>Silphium laciniatum</i> (Compass Plant)

ISM Herbarium : Prairie Herbs : Aster (Asteraceae)

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