Silver Groundsel, Prairie Groundsel

Ethnobotany

The word silver in the common name and the scientific name canus refer to the leaves, which are grey-green with a covering of white, fuzzy hair. The bright yellow daisy-type flowers with yellow centres occur in a small cluster at the end of 40 cm tall stems.

Common groundsel and some other groundsels are poisonous due to the presence of alkaloids. Wilkinson warns the chronic use of groundsels in herbal tea may cause liver cirrhosis. She states that some groundsels have been used by First Nations people to ease the pain of childbirth and to treat wounds. (284)

This plant is not currently in the garden, but we hope it is coming soon.

Botany

Will be added soon.

References

  • Wilkinson, Kathleen. 1999. Wildflowers of Alberta: A Guide to Common Wildflowers and Other Herbaceous Plants. University of Alberta Press and Lone Pine Publishing, AB.

Wildflower 2Penny Dodd and Marion JankunisGalt Museum & ArchivesComment