1 / 10

Madia gracilis

grassy tarweed

Asteraceae Western North America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Madia gracilis is an annual in the sunflower family, native to western North America. It grows 8-36 inches (20-90 cm) tall on slender, often single stems that branch toward the top, with narrow grass-like leaves 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long. The stems and leaves are covered in sticky, glandular hairs that give off a strong scent and make the plant feel tacky, the reason for the name tarweed. Small yellow daisy heads about 0.25-0.5 inch (6-12 mm) across open near the stem tips, each with a few short ray florets, sometimes red-tinged at the base, around a yellow disk. The heads open in the morning and often close by midday in heat. Flowering runs from late spring into summer. The plant grows in open grassland, disturbed ground, roadsides, and woodland clearings, frequently on dry soils. As an annual it completes its life in one season, sets seed, and dies, and it can self-sow into open ground the next year.

Native Range

Madia gracilis is native to western North America, from British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, and California and into the interior west. It grows in grasslands, open woods, and disturbed ground at low to middle elevations.

Suggested Uses

Madia gracilis is used in native wildflower meadows, restoration seed mixes, and naturalized grassland plantings. Its flowers are visited by native bees and other insects, and its seeds are eaten by birds. It suits informal and wild areas rather than formal beds.

How to Identify

Look for a slender annual 8-36 inches (20-90 cm) tall with narrow grass-like leaves and sticky, strongly scented glandular hairs on the stems and foliage. Small yellow daisy heads 0.25-0.5 inch (6-12 mm) across, with a few short rays sometimes red at the base, open near the stem tips. The tacky, aromatic feel and small morning-opening heads mark it as a tarweed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 3'

Width/Spread4" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Small yellow heads open from late spring into summer (May-August), often opening in the morning and closing during midday heat. Bloom continues for several weeks as the plant branches and sets new heads. Seeds ripen and drop through summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Madia gracilis grows in full sun in dry, average to poor soils and tolerates drought as the season warms. As an annual it depends on seed sown or self-sown on open ground, germinating with cool-season moisture. Sow seed in fall or early spring where the plants are to grow. It needs no fertilizer and little water beyond seasonal rainfall in its climate. It completes its cycle in one season and dies after setting seed. It self-sows and can return year to year where soil stays open.