Prairie Dock

Silphium terebinthinaceum

A long lived perennial member of the Asteraceae family, prairie dock is found in the eastern United States. Large basal leaves that are very gritty in texture give way to a tall, 4-10 feet, slender flowering stalk in the late summer. The bright yellow flowers, present from July-September, attract numerous pollinating species and the seeds are consumed by small birds. It prefers full sun and well drained loamy soils, although with its deep tap root it can withstand gritty soils and drought conditions.