Finches love the seeds, which are produced by this plant following its late summer and fall bloom. Flowers are daisy-like and yellow with brown centers; visited by bees and butterflies and typically in multiples arranged in open clusters at the top of a stem. Flowers are visited by bees and butterflies. Dark green somewhat heart-shaped leaves are also attractive when flowers absent. In the lower Midwest, occurs in Missouri’s southern Ozarks and Bootheel, northern Arkansas, and a portion of southwestern Illinois.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Silphium Sunflower
Helianthus silphioides
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Savanna / Woodland, Stream Edge
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

Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators

Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
36 to
72
inches
Spread:
18 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
72
inches
Spread: 18 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
72
inches
Spread: 18 to
24
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Moderately tall plant for the backs of beds, borders, native plant gardens, or for meadow and prairie plantings.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Support tall plants if needed. Might self-seed.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.