COMPASS PLANT

compass plant, a native of the north american prairies, which takes its name from the position assumed by the leaves. these turn their edges to north and south, thus avoiding the excessive mid-day heat, while getting the full benefit of the morning and evening rays. the plant is known botanically as _silphium laciniatum_, and belongs to the natural order compositae. another member of the same order, _lactuca scariola_, which has been regarded as the origin of the cultivated lettuce (_l. sativa_), behaves in the same way when growing in dry exposed places; it is a native of europe and northern asia which has got introduced into north america.