Showy Tarweed

Madia elegans

bright yellow flower with a magenta center

Photo Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Madia_elegans_flower2.jpg

yellow flowers with a long stalk next to a creek

Photo Credit: Calibas (talk · contribs), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Plant Description

Gloriously bright annual wildflower with sticky stalks that smell like pineapple. Showy tarweed has an extended bloom period, however, the flowers usually close by mid-morning to help conserve water. While it’s drought tolerant, it blooms longest in areas with moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Tarweed attracts our native long-horned bees and the seeds attract songbirds.

Plant Details

Life Forms	Forb
Habitats	Disturbed sites Gardens Grasslands Little Habitats Meadows Oak savannas Prairies Residential yards Upland prairies Wet prairies
Soil and Moisture Conditions	Dry to moist
Special Uses	Annual Attracts pollinators and or other beneficial insects Blooms August Blooms July Blooms June Blooms September-October Drought tolerant Flowers yellow Herbaceous Produces nectar Produces pollen Produces seeds Provides soil stabilization Provides wildlife habitat
Shade Preference	Full sun
Mature Height	4-5ft