Why should a beautiful flower curl up its petals during the day when the weather is perfect and all pollinating insects are busy doing their vital job visiting open flowers? (That was a very long question, wasn't it). I suspect, Madia hearing that would blush because the answer might seem a little complicated if not improbable: to retain moisture. I must add, the leaves stay perfectly rigid at that time. Digging deeper we can find out that the answer is actually correct. Leaves can stay firm on sunny days because they are protected from wilting by a slightly grey velvety layer on the surface. The flowers have no such protection and need to close on a hot and sunny day. What is more surprising, it happens by the clock. I think we can let Madia have its secrets and not explain this unusual mechanism, especially if the stress related clarification is the reason. Who needs more stress? Instead, we can enjoy the fruity scent of both leaves and flowers, which resemble pineapple or freshly baked lemon cake.
The best time to do it is late afternoon when the flowers reopen. If we stay longer we might observe that Madia attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects. And now all seem to be clear: Madia is a nocturnal plant and does not really care to look beautiful at daytime. But we should show that we care and sow this intriguing annual near the door or garden table to delight in the nice smell along with its pollinators.
Madia elegans is native to North America and thanks to the fragrant oil its foliage contains, it is often called tarweed or elegant tarweed. The latter seems to be more appropriate. Its daisy-like flowers are pure yellow with or without a maroon spot at the base of each flower petal. The elegant flower heads form on tall (1m/3ft) erect and branching stems which tend to become lanky if Madia is grown in a shady spot or the soil contains too much moisture. Being taught by evolution to save water, all excess moisture makes it go crazy a little. But be cautious, it is a dry areas species and abhors waterlogged soils.
The best way to get Madia is buy its seeds and sow them in the spring. They germinate without prompting but the seedlings need to be transplanted to form sturdier individuals. When the weather conditions are good we can plant them in the garden. Choose sunny, well drained locations and sheltered ones as strong winds might distort the stems. As a matter of fact, distorted Madia looks more interesting than the erect one, definitely more inspiring. And the inspiration can make us feel like listening to good jazz. Why not?
Madia elegans is native to North America and thanks to the fragrant oil its foliage contains, it is often called tarweed or elegant tarweed. The latter seems to be more appropriate. Its daisy-like flowers are pure yellow with or without a maroon spot at the base of each flower petal. The elegant flower heads form on tall (1m/3ft) erect and branching stems which tend to become lanky if Madia is grown in a shady spot or the soil contains too much moisture. Being taught by evolution to save water, all excess moisture makes it go crazy a little. But be cautious, it is a dry areas species and abhors waterlogged soils.
The best way to get Madia is buy its seeds and sow them in the spring. They germinate without prompting but the seedlings need to be transplanted to form sturdier individuals. When the weather conditions are good we can plant them in the garden. Choose sunny, well drained locations and sheltered ones as strong winds might distort the stems. As a matter of fact, distorted Madia looks more interesting than the erect one, definitely more inspiring. And the inspiration can make us feel like listening to good jazz. Why not?
Jarek
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