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Puget Sound Gumweed Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Puget Sound Gumweed

Grindelia integrifolia

Resilience in harsh conditions.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Grindelia
Native to
Western North America
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Type
perennial
Height
1-3 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, sandy, saline-tolerant
Water
low
Hardiness
7-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The flower buds are covered in a thick, white, gummy resin that protects them from salt spray and insects.
  • Native tribes of the Pacific Northwest used the resin to treat asthma, bronchitis, and poison oak rashes.
  • It thrives in coastal bluffs and salt marshes where few other wildflowers can survive the salty conditions.
  • The sticky resin was historically used as a natural adhesive and chewing gum by indigenous peoples.
  • Puget Sound gumweed is an important late-season nectar source for native bees and butterflies in coastal ecosystems.

Color meanings

0

resilience

1

coastal strength

2

perseverance

Uses

  • native plant restoration
  • coastal landscaping
  • traditional medicine
  • pollinator gardens