Common Madia
(Madia elegans)
Common Madia (Madia elegans)
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rappman
CC BY 4.0
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rappman
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: rappman | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: rappman | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-05-13T18:12:31Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Madia elegans, commonly known as Common Madia, is an annual herb native to the open woodlands and grasslands of western North America, particularly in California and Oregon. It is characterized by its bright yellow daisy-like flowers with numerous thin ray florets surrounding a central disc of florets that may vary in color from white to maroon. The plant typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and has a slender, erect stem. The ray florets exhibit a unique behavior by curling up during the day and opening in the late afternoon, remaining open all night until mid-morning. The flowering season extends from April through early November, and the flowers are known for their strong fragrance, which is most pronounced in the late afternoon and evening. The fruits are achenes, which were historically utilized as a food source by Native Americans.
Common Madia is valued for its aromatic foliage and showy flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is often used in wildflower gardens, meadows, and as a border plant in sunny areas. The plant is easy to grow and maintain, thriving in full sun and adaptable to various soil types with different drainage capabilities. While it prefers moderate watering, it can tolerate drought conditions once established. Gardeners should be aware that the plant can self-seed prolifically, which may be considered undesirable in some settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Common Madia is valued for its aromatic foliage and showy flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is often used in wildflower gardens, meadows, and as a border plant in sunny areas. The plant is easy to grow and maintain, thriving in full sun and adaptable to various soil types with different drainage capabilities. While it prefers moderate watering, it can tolerate drought conditions once established. Gardeners should be aware that the plant can self-seed prolifically, which may be considered undesirable in some settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Fall, Summer
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands and grasslands of western North America
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Madia elegans, Madia elegans subsp. elegans, Madia elegans subsp. densifolia, Madia elegans subsp. wheeleri, Madia elegans subsp. vernalis, Madia wheeleri, Hemizonia wheeleri, Madia elegans var. hispida, Madia corymbosa
GBIF Accepted Name: Madia elegans D.Don