Cup Plant

Scientific name

Silphium perfoliatum

Description

Cup Plant is a tall wildflower species that can grow up to 2.5 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common names Cup Rosinweed or Carpenter’s Weed. The leaves are green colored, oppositely arranged, are broadly lanceolate shaped, have toothed margins, have a rough sandpaper texture, and have cup like bases that can hold water. The flowers are yellow colored, have 20-40 ray petals, have numerous disk florets, and blooms between July and September. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. The seeds are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals.

Planting conditions

Cup Plant grows best in normal to moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers well drained, loam soil types. These large plants can fall over from strong winds or storms, especially if planted on a slope. This wildflower can be naturally found in dry open forests, forest edges, in fields or meadows, and along stream or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Loamy
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Eco Zone:
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 2.5m
• Spread:
  • 1m