Usually available: All year

Life cycle: Perennial
Height: 1.2 - 2m
Position: Full sun
Soil preference: Well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 Grindelia Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Grindelia camporum

Grindelia camporum is a perennial growing from 1.2 to 2.0 meters by 80cm wide. It has a gangly, weed-like presence with tall upright, resinous branches. The 3 cm green leaves line the stems and are quite stiff, with serrated edges. The inflorescence is at the top of the stems, holding a yellow flower head with large petals and distinctive green bracts forming a thick base. The flowers appear from spring to summer and often into autumn depending on weather patterns. This plant is pollinated by insects and has an odour reminiscent of balsamic vinegar.

Grindelia is native to California, with only minimal range outside this North American state. The usual habitat is dry banks, rocky ground, plains and other areas of low alkalinity. It can also grow in disturbed areas of ground, such as roadsides. The Grindelia genus is in the family Asteraceae and may go by the common names Gumplant, Great Valley Gumweed or Bract Gumweed.

This is not a culinary herb, but does have traditional and modern value as a medicinal herb. It is also used to produce green and yellow dyes from the flower heads and seed pods.

Growing Conditions

Grindelia camporum grows in full sun and cannot grow in shade successfully. It prefers light to medium sandy or loamy soil, but can adapt to heavier soils if necessary. Dry or moist soil is acceptable, but once it is established this plant is drought tolerant and able to survive on natural rainfall. Poor soils are tolerated and it is cold hardy to -5 Celsius. In some areas this plant may be treated as an annual plant due to local conditions.

Medicinal Uses

Grindelia camporum has a history of traditional medicine use and is still used in modern herbalism. The qualities of this plant include anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, sedative, anti-spasmodic, use as skin treatments and for wound healing. Grindelia was used by North American Indians to treat skin irritations such as Poison Ivy. It is also used externally by making a poultice to treat burns, dermatitis, eczema and skin eruptions. Modern herbalists use this plant to treat bronchial asthma and respiratory impediments due to phlegm build up. It is thought to act by desensitizing the bronchial nerve endings and decreasing heart rate, with both leading to easier breathing. It is also used for cystitis, but can cause kidney irritation. This herb is not for use by kidney and/or heart patients.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.