Oregon Gumweed
Grindelia stricta
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © justin2 (iNaturalist #130626)






Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Grindelia
- Species:
- Grindelia stricta
- USDA Symbol:
- GRST3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis) Butterflies:Gray Buckeye (Junonia grisea), Mylitta crescent (Phyciodes mylitta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; common in post-fire coastal scrub communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in coastal areas with sandy soils.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with cold stratification; can also direct sow in fall.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Soak seeds for 24 hours in fresh water
Establishment: Seeds are collected between July 7th and November 17th. Mature inflorescences are off white in color. Seed is a flattened, glabrous achene at maturity. G. stricta is found in coastal salt marshes and seaside bluffs from Marin County, California to Coos County, Oregon.
Source: npn.rngr.net