White Rosinweed
White rosinweed (Silphium albiflorum) is a tall, perennial wildflower native to Texas. It is a member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is closely related to other rosinweeds, compass plants, and sunflowers. White rosinweed grows in prairies, open fields, and limestone outcrops. It is a drought-tolerant plant that prefers well-drained, calcareous soils. White rosinweed has a rosette of basal leaves that are deeply divided into narrow, linear lobes. The leaves are covered in a white fuzz that helps protect them from the sun and heat. The stems of white rosinweed are tall and stout, and they can grow up to 3 feet tall. The flowers of white rosinweed are arranged in heads that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Each head contains numerous small, white flowers. White rosinweed blooms from late spring to mid-summer.
White rosinweed is an important food source for many insects, including butterflies, bees, and beetles. It is also a host plant for several species of caterpillar. White rosinweed is a valuable plant in the prairie ecosystem, and it helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
Silphium albiflorum, commonly known as white rosinweed, is native to the United States, specifically endemic to the state of Texas. It is found primarily in the central and northern regions of Texas, inhabiting open, calcareous prairies.