Compass Plant

Compass plant is a tall, striking prairie plant used by a variety of wildlife. It is an important pollen source for native bees. Birds such as Goldfinches and Kingbirds perch on the large stems and the seeds are eaten birds and small mammals.

Compass plant is found throughout eastern and central North America as far north as Ontario.

Though slow growing, the plant is long lived, with documented century old plants that can reach 8 feet tall when grown in moist, rich soils.

The name Compass Plant comes from the north-south orientation of the plant’s leaves and therefore its use as a directional tool by early European settlers. It is thought that these settlers could even find their way in the dark by feeling of the leaves. Other common names for Compass plant include prairie compass plant, pilotweed, gum weed polarplant, and cut-leaf silphium.

Historically, several Native American tribes used the plant including making its sap into chewing gum.