Minnesota Wildflowers


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Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Silphium
Family:Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:short-lived perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; moist; prairies, along shores, wetlands
Bloom season:July - September
Plant height:3 to 8 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: 7+petals panicle

[photo of flower] Yellow sunflower-type flower, 2½ to 3½ inches across. There are usually 21 to 34 petals (ray flowers) and the center is green until the disk flowers bloom. One plant may have 10 to 30 flowers.

Leaves and stem: opposite simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are very large, to 10 inches long and 6 inches wide, joined together at the main stem (perfoliate), forming a cup (hence the name). The leaves are coarsely toothed, pointed at the tip, and feel rough. The stem is thick, square, and smooth, and may be a reddish color.

Notes:

The unusual leaves make this plant easy to identify.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, July 2007

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Hayward in Owatonna
on: 2009-07-18 21:59:41

We have lived here for 20 years, and this is the first time I have seen this flower. There are four plants growing in our marsh.

Posted by: Mark in Oakdale Nature Preserve, Oakdale MN
on: 2010-07-24 16:44:51

One single plant!

Posted by: Jay in Minnehaha Creek, South Minneapolis-East Side
on: 2011-09-13 11:48:14

This species has been planted in the reconstructed riparian wetland along Minnehaha Creek between Nokomis Avenue and 33rd Avenue. Many other species to see there as well.

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