Grindelia squarrosa
Curlycup gumweed is a plant that is native to the Rocky Mountain west (USDA, 2014). It is common to find along roadsides, trailheads, and in prairies.
Gumweed is biennial member of the sunflower family. The yellow ray flowers have many re-curved bracts. The leaves are oblong and have a serrated edge. The entire plant is covered with a sticky resin that also decreases its palatability for wildlife and cattle. It has fibrous root system.
Curlycup gumweed has a long history of use by Native Americans as an herb. The resin has also been used as a substitute for chewing gum.
USDA, NRCS. 2014. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 18 March 2014). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
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