description Cup Plant Overview
Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is a tall perennial wildflower native to central and eastern North America, where it grows in prairies, floodplains, and other moist, sunny habitats. Its opposite leaves join around the square stem, forming cup-like basins that can retain rainwater and provide drinking sites for birds and insects. A member of the aster family, it produces clusters of yellow flower heads in summer and provides nectar, pollen, and seeds for wildlife.
insights Ranking position
Cup Plant ranks #41 of 341 in the Wildflower ranking, behind Prairie Trillium, ahead of Turtlehead.
help Cup Plant FAQ
Do cup plant leaves really hold water for birds and insects?
Yes, opposite leaves join around the square stem and form small basins that can retain rainwater. This distinctive structure gives Silphium perfoliatum its common name, although the amount of water varies with rainfall and leaf shape.
How tall does cup plant become in a garden?
Cup plant commonly reaches roughly 6 to 10 feet when grown in moist soil and full sun. Its height and vigorous rhizomes make it better suited to prairie plantings or large naturalized areas than small flower beds.
Is cup plant aggressive or invasive?
Within its North American native range, it can spread assertively by rhizomes and seed without being an introduced invasive species. Outside that range, including parts of Europe, it may escape cultivation and should be checked against local invasive-plant guidance.
What pollinators use Silphium perfoliatum?
Its yellow summer flower heads attract bees, butterflies and other nectar-feeding insects. Later, seed-eating birds such as American goldfinches may feed on the mature heads.
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