Found throughout the tallgrass Prairie region and south on mesic prairies. Bright yellow flowers bloom from July through August. Very tall plant, sometimes reaching 8 or more feet. The taproot is also very long, reaching as much as 4 to 5 feet into the ground. The common name, Compass Plant, comes from the fact that the basal leaves tend to align themselves in a north/south direction

Native Americans brewed a root tea for lung bleeding, back and/or chest pain, to ease profuse menstruation and to induce vomiting. The smoke from the entire burning plant was inhaled to relieve head colds and ease the effects of neuralgia and rheumatism. Historically, a tea made from the roots of S. lacinatum was used to reduce the swelling of an enlarged spleen, fevers, internal bruises, debility, liver ailments and ulcers. This is a toxic species, but the toxicity is unknown.

The Omaha and Ponca tribes would not camp where Compass Plant grew as they believed that lightning was attracted to such places. During electrical storms, they burned the entire to act as a charm to ward off lightning strikes.

Edible Uses: A resin exudes naturally from the plant, and can also be obtained by incision. It is an inexpensive substitute for mastic and is used as a chewing gum to sweeten the breath. It forms on the upper part of the flowering stem.

Medicinal Uses: The resin obtained from the plant is diuretic. It imparts a strong aromatic odour to urine. A tea made from the roots is vermifuge and a tonic for general debility. It is used as an expectorant in coughs and other pulmonary ailments. A decoction of the smaller roots has been used as an emetic. A tea made from the leaves is emetic, it has also been used in the treatment of coughs, lung ailments and asthma.

Herbal Uses: Unknown