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Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Cup Plant

Silphium perfoliatum
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Prairie, Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Yellow
Fall Color:

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Yellow flowers and green foliage of Silphium perfoliatum
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High, Wet
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

84 to
120
inches

Spread:

36 to
60
inches
Size
Height: 84 to
120
inches
Spread: 36 to
60
inches
Size
Height: 84 to
120
inches
Spread: 36 to
60
inches
Typical Landscape Use
This is a large bold plant that brings form and texture to the landscape. Use as a focal point in perennial gardens, native plant gardens and in prairies and moist areas.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in full sun. Adaptable and highly aggressive, clump-forming.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description

This plant is distinguished from other Silphiums by its square stems and pairs of cup-forming leaves that hold water. Soft yellow flowers grow 3 in. in diameter with darker yellow center disks. Plants bloom in summer at the top of stout stems.

Cup plant composite with yellow petals and flower buds

Cup plant flowers. Photo by E. Goss

Water collected in node of leaf

Water collects in the nodes of the cup plant. Photo by E. Goss

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