Grindelia camporum

Great Valley gumplant is a California native species with cheerful yellow flowers.

Beautiful and Useful

During the early stages of spring blooming, the flower heads produce a milky substance. The flowers attract bees and butterflies, and its seeds are food to a variety of songbirds.

What I didn’t know about this curious plant when I photographed it last year is that the topical application of this herb soothes dermatitis, burns, insect bites, and skin rashes.

It was also used as an herbal treatment to soothe respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and whooping cough. It is a traditional indigenous medicinal plant and was used in early pharmaceuticals.

Where to Find It

This perennial herb is a member of the Asteraceae family. Grindelia camporum grows wild in chaparral and woodlands of California and Baja California, but it may also be found at roadsides. It flowers in the spring, summer, and fall seasons, growing from 2 to 7 feet tall and 3 feet wide.