leafcup

Polymnia canadensis

The leafcup is a special plant with big, green leaves that can hold water like a cup! It grows in shady places and is loved by many little creatures in the forest.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The leafcup has large, deeply lobed green leaves that join at the stem, sometimes forming a small cup. Its branched stems bear tiny, pale yellow to white daisy-like flowers, often lacking prominent petals, making them look like small buttons.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusPolymnia

Photo: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles SPublic domain · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

leafcup

Interesting facts

Early naturalists sometimes called this plant 'bearsfoot' because its big leaves look like a bear's paw!

Even though it's a relative of giant sunflowers, leafcup's blooms are usually only pencil-eraser size!

Its scientific name, Polymnia, comes from the Greek goddess of sacred hymns!

The 'cup' in leafcup comes from how its leaves join around the stem, like a tiny cup!

Special abilities

Leafcup has cup-shaped leaf bases that can collect rainwater, providing tiny drinking pools for thirsty insects!

Leafcup can grow well in shady woodland spots, using its broad leaves to soak up even faint sunlight for energy.

Leafcup stems are often covered in sticky hairs, helping to deter small crawling pests from damaging its leaves and flowers.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-150 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1.5 cm
Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits its small flowers for nectar and pollen.

Eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Sometimes browses on leafcup leaves and young stems.

Eaten by

Leafcup borer moth

Crocidophora serratissimalis

Its larvae tunnel into the plant's stems to feed.

Traits

Flowering

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

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

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.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

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

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify leafcup?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is leafcup?

50-150 cm

How wide does leafcup spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on leafcup?

0.5-1.5 cm

When does leafcup bloom?

Late summer to fall

Is leafcup edible?

Is leafcup toxic?

None

What is leafcup's lifecycle?