cup plant

Silphium perfoliatum

The cup plant is a tall, bright yellow flower that grows in sunny places. Its leaves form cups that can hold rainwater, making it a fun plant for insects and birds.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The cup plant has distinctive square stems and large, triangular leaves that fuse at their bases around the stem, forming cup-like structures. Its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom atop tall stalks, making it easily noticeable in open fields.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusSilphium

cup plant

Interesting facts

Birds love to drink water collected in its leaf-cups, making it a natural bird bath!

Its strong square stem helps it stand tall even in windy weather!

Native Americans once used cup plant for its medicinal properties and as chewing gum.

This plant can grow taller than a grown-up, sometimes over 10 feet high!

Special abilities

The cup plant has paired leaves that grow together around its stem, creating little cups that can hold rainwater for thirsty insects and birds.

Cup plant can send roots very deep into the soil to find water, helping it survive dry spells better than many other plants.

Cup plant can attract many different bees and butterflies with its abundant nectar and pollen, making it a busy insect hub.

Measurements & details

Height: 180-300 cm
Spread: 60-120 cm
Flower Size: 5-8 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to early fall
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen

pollinates

common eastern bumble bee

Bombus impatiens

Important native pollinator

pollinates

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Visits flowers for nectar

eaten by

elk

Cervus canadensis

Browses young plants

eaten by

white-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Feeds on foliage

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.