Oregon Gumweed

Grindelia stricta

Native to:
Canada, United States

📍 View on iNaturalist →

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