gum plant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• broad-leaved gumplant
• curly-cup gumweed
• gumweed
• Broadleaf Gumweed
• Curlycup Gumweed
• Prairie Gumweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aurelia squarrosa
• Grindelia squarrosa var. serrulata
• Thuraria herbacea
• Grindelia squarrosa f. angustior
• Aurelia amplexicaulis
• Grindelia arguta
• Donia squarrosa
• Grindelia speciosa
• Grindelia serrulata
• Hysterionica squarrosa
• Grindelia squarrosa f. pseudopinnatifida
• Grindelia squarrosa f. depressa
• Grindelia pinnatifida
• Grindelia angustifolia
• Grindelia perennis f. pseudopinnatifida

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae and the genus Grindelia. These taxonomic layers define its biological position as a member of the sunflower family.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified in both Ireland and Sweden. Moving toward the central regions, it is also found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, the species inhabits the landscapes of Belgium and Germany. Finally, its geographical range extends further east to include Poland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Grindelia squarrosa is characterized by its adaptation to disturbed and sun-drenched environments, frequently colonizing open roadsides where competition from dense vegetation is minimized. This species thrives in high-light conditions and is often found in transitional zones or disturbed soils that provide the necessary drainage and exposure. By occupying these open roadside habitats, the plant utilizes niches that are often subject to periodic soil movement or compaction, allowing it to establish itself in areas where other more sensitive flora might struggle. This preference for open, disturbed ground suggests a resilient ecological strategy suited to edge habitats and anthropogenic landscapes.

Habitat :

open roadsides

Life history

The life history of Grindelia squarrosa is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial species depending on environmental conditions. In terms of its growth habit and survival strategies, the plant exhibits complex life forms, functioning as both a hemicryptophyte, where perennating buds are located at the soil surface, and a therophyte, which allows it to complete its life cycle through ephemeral growth patterns.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Grindelia squarrosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking any climber or vine tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. It exhibits a relatively low stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 1 m. While its habitat can span various moisture levels, its primary ecological classification is terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic life forms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Grindelia squarrosa is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and anatomical adaptations suited for arid environments. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon fixation occurs via the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, typically resulting in higher photorespiration rates under intense heat or water stress compared to C4 or CAM species. To mitigate the physiological strain of its native dry habitats, the plant exhibits significant resinous production; these sticky, oleoresinous exudates on the leaf surfaces serve a dual physiological purpose by reducing transpirational water loss through a physical barrier and protecting the photosynthetic tissues from excessive UV radiation. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is supported by a robust root system designed for efficient water uptake and a metabolic regulation that manages osmotic potential to maintain cellular turgor during periods of drought.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Grindelia squarrosa is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period and the production of minute seeds. The flowering process typically commences in July and continues through September, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.000906667 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.0007 g (7e-04 g) to a maximum of 0.00115 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Seed mass max:

0.00115 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000906667 g

Seed mass min:

7e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Grindelia squarrosa has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Grindelic acid, 3-Methylquercetol, Ash, Borneol, EO.

Grindelic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

3-Methylquercetol

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Borneol

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Luteolol

1. Dr. Duke

Matricarianol

1. Dr. Duke

Quercetol

1. Dr. Duke

Tannins

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Grindelia squarrosa has 36 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, Allelochemic, Analgesic, Antiacetylcholine.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacetylcholine

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antibronchitic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticapillary-Fragility

1. Dr. Duke

Antiescherichic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Grindelia squarrosa has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bronchitis, cough, fever, influenza, rhinitis.

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Influenza

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhinitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Grindelia squarrosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts.

Aerial parts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology