Ethnobotany

1. Big (California) Gum Plant – Grindelia camporum (grin-DELL-ee-uh camp-OH-rum)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Central & S. CA coast. On dry banks, rocky or sandy fields, along roadsides, in dry washes
and stream banks, saline soils.
Growth characteristics: perennial sub-shrub mature height: 2-4 ft mature width: 4-6+ ft
Erect, herbaceous/woody perennial with alternate, leathery leaves. Leaves, stems and flowers are
sticky-resinous. Plant may be upright or more decumbent – definitely an informal appearance.
Blooms/fruits: Attractive yellow “daisy” flowers from Mar-Oct. Bracts below heads are down-curved.
Uses in the garden: In informal cultivated beds (mid-bed). Good for sandy, relatively infertile soils.
Flowers attractive, numerous, long-lasting. Scented (balsamic scent). Great for butterfly, pollinator or
bird garden – excellent all-round habitat plant. Looks great with blue or purple flowers, or with native
bunch grasses. Good for dry gardens (xeriscaping) or salty/alkali soils. Tough plant!
Sensible substitute for: non-native bush sunflowers: Gloriosa Daisies (Rudbeckia), Chrysanthemums
Attracts: Butterflies; many species of bees; beetles and other interesting insects. Birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun
Soil Sandy to medium – well-drained best but tolerates clay; pH 6-8
Water Low needs, particularly when flowering. Will tolerate more if soil well-drained
Fertilizer None needed
Other Tolerates alkali and salty soils
Management: Easy to grow. Dies back significantly in dry conditions. Cut back to near the ground
after flowering to keep from getting leggy.
Propagation: from seed: Easy. Collect seed from dry heads in summer/fall. Seeds may be dried and
stored for planting in spring. In S. Bay can be planted in pots or in the ground Oct-Nov.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 6, 8, 12-14, 16, 20, 24, 31 7/3/14
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