Rhaponticum carthamoides is a native of Russia and known as maral root. It is considered an adaptogen and sold as a dietary supplement. I have found it a fascinating plant because it is easy to grow and flowers in June! It goes to seed by July and basically hangs out in leaf all summer. I was concerned about it possibly becoming a weed, because it is related to thistles and in the Asteraceae (Compositae or daisy family). However, look at this very compact, two-year old root. This is not a root that travels far! It's a taproot. I have my doubts that it could become a weed. But, someone will have to run some field trials to see if I'm right. It is a perennial, and I suspect, a long-lived one. For larger plants, space them at least 2 feet apart. Catch the seed by covering the heads with nylon stockings after flowering. Make tincture from the leaves or the roots, dried or fresh.
After the seeds are removed from the flowerhead, a beautiful, fuzzy disc is left. Perhaps this could be sold to the dried flower market as a decorative item.
This very versatile plant could be sold in many markets: leaf, root, the fresh flower, the dried flowerhead, and the seeds.
Rhaponticum carthamoides seed
