About Madia elegans D.Don
Madia elegans D.Don is covered in short, stiff hairs, and stalked glands grow on its structure, especially near its flowers. The appearance of its showy flowers varies between subspecies, and even within individual subspecies. Its leaves can reach up to 20 centimeters, or 8 inches, in length. This species blooms between April and October. Several strongly scented, uncrowded, bright yellow daisy-like flower heads grow at the tip of a slender green stem. Each flower head is typically 3 to 5 centimeters, or 1 1/4 to 2 inches, wide. The flower head has many thin ray flowers, which close at night, along with several central disk flowers. The flower may be solid lemon yellow all over, or may have a maroon center. It produces dry fruit called achenes. This plant is native to western North America, ranging from south-central Washington state to northern Baja California. It grows in dry open forest, disturbed areas, and grasslands across low to high elevations. Historically, Native American groups including the Pomo and Miwok used Madia elegans achenes as food, either baking the achenes or grinding them into flour.
