The Compass plant is a tall sunflower-like native, perennial, growing up to12 feet high. Scattered along the top half of the stout, sticky stem are two to five-inch wide, yellow flowers. It has basal, deeply cut, hairy leaves, up to two feet in length. The leaves get smaller higher up on the stem. The common name refers to the plant's deeply incised leaves, which tend to be oriented in a north-south direction. It prefers sun and dry, well-drained soil. It is mostly found in prairies. (SF)