Silphium perfoliatum
Back to Previous Page
   
Tried and True Recommended by 4 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: cup plant
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3 to 9
Native Range: Central-eastern Canada to southeastern United States
Height: 4 to 8 feet
Spread: 1 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Uses: Rain Garden, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Prefers moist, rich soils, but tolerates some drought once established. Somewhat slow to establish when grown from seed. Self-seeds in optimum growing conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cup plant is a coarse, sunflower-like, Missouri native plant which occurs in low woods and thickets, meadows, prairie stream/pond peripheries and along railroad tracks throughout the State. It typically grows on tough, erect stems to 4-8' tall and is distinguished from the other silphiums by its square/quadrangular stems and pairs of cup-forming leaves. Flower heads (to 3" diameter) featuring light yellow rays (20-40) and darker yellow center disks bloom in summer on the upper part of the plant. Rough, triangular to ovate, coarsely-toothed, opposite, connate-perfoliate, medium green leaves. Lower leaves (to 14" long) are united at the petioles. Middle and upper leaves lack petioles, and leaf pairs are united at the bases to envelop the stem forming a cup (hence the common name). Leaf cups will collect rain water. This species is also commonly called cup rosin weed because its stems (like those of all silphiums) exude a gummy sap when broken or cut.)

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

A large plant that needs lots of space. Some gardeners find cup plant to be too large and weedy for border rears, but others find it to be an effective backdrop for other perennials. Adapts well to prairies, wildflower/native plant gardens, naturalized areas or moist, open woodland areas including stream/pond edges.

Back to Previous Page