Native Plant Database

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Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Silphium perfoliatum L.

Cup plant, Cup-plant

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: SIPE2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A course perennial, 3-6 ft. tall with numerous large, yellow composite flowers. Each flower head has 20-30 yellow rays and darker yellow disks. Stout leaves are joined at stem to form a small cup that holds water and attracts birds.

The small cup formed by the leaves holds water and attracts birds.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Can grow to as much as 9 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: S. Ont. to NC, w. to e. Great Plains
Native Habitat: Moist woods; prairies; low ground
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist , Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Wet to mesic soils. Will tolerate clay soil.
Conditions Comments: Unstoppable urge to reproduce, they will pop up everywhere; very little care needed.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Attracts birds for seed.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Description: Most easily propagated by seed. Sow unstratified seed in spring or stratified in fall. Deep roots make it difficult to transplant but young offshoots from parent plant can be removed and planted.
Seed Collection: Seeds can be allowed to dry out before sowing. Collect in Sep. and Oct.
Seed Treatment: This species requires or benefits from a three month period of cold moist stratification in the refrigerator.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX

Bibliography

100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Silphium perfoliatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Silphium perfoliatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Silphium perfoliatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-01-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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