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Madia sativa, a “tarweed” long used in the past for its oily seeds by the natives of both Pacific North America and southern South America where it still grows wild, has potential as a future oil crop.

Madia sativa seeds were studied for their oil content and fatty acid composition. Oil content in wild seeds was 26% w/w. The samples analyzed showed comparable fatty acid composition, with palmitic (12.9–14.0), stearic (3.8–3.9), oleic (7.9-10.2) and linoleic acid (71.4–72.4) as the major acids. The mean molecular weight of the oil ranges from 876.1 to 894.6 with saponification values of 190–194 mg and unsaturation values of 126–131. The seed meal showed a high crude protein content (28–31%). The oil composition of Madia sativa and its adaptability to poor soils, suggest considerable potential as a future oil crop.