Silphium

Silphium seed dormancy

Silphium integrifolium, also known as 'rosin weed' or 'silflower', is a perennial aster native to prairies of the US Midwest. Researchers at The Land Institute and UMN have been breeding new populations of Silphium that have large seeds that are high in oil content. The goal is to domesticate this perennial plant so that it can be used an an oilseed crop. We are conducting experiments to learn how to manage this crop so that it consistently produces economically viable grain yields.