Flower ID: IMG_5508.JPG-07-26-2025 Flower name (scientific): Silphium perfoliatum Linnaeus PY: 1759. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) SIL-phee-um pur-foe-lee-AY-tum Flower name (common): Cup Plant Family name (common): Aster Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: One proposal is that the name derives from the name of a North African resinous plant called silphion (Thapsia garganica), with the latter name having a Greek origin. Another suggestion is that the name derives from a now extinct plant found in the Mediterranean region. The identity of the plant may be from the genus Ferula. Specific epithet: From Latin, describing when the bases of two opposite stemless leaves join around the stem, giving the appearance that the stem has grown through a leaf blade. Common name origin: From the "cup-like" shape formed by a pair of opposite leaves where they surround the stem. Flower description: Size: 1.7 to 3.5 inches (4.3 to 8.9 cm) Petal count: Typically 17 to 35. Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Stem erect, square in cross section. Size: 36 to 96 inches (91 to 244 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Both upper and lower surfaces rough (like fine-grained sand paper) to the touch, due to the prsence of small pustules and tiny hairs. Other: Shape: leaf, deltate, lanceolate, or ovate (FNA), broadly lanceolate to cordate (IL). Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Fields, prairies, streambanks, woods, roadsides, sun or semi-shade, moist to wet. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki employed the roots of this plant to prepare a medicine to treat the vomiting associated with pregnancy and also use for menstruatioon issues (Smith, p. 217, 1928). The Ojibwe prepared a tea from the roots and used it as a treatment for lumbago rheumatic back pain. They also use the plant for stomach issues and hemorrhage (Smith, p. 365, 1932). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Buffalo, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oneida, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym(): Silphium perfoliatum var. perfoliatum (The other infraspecific is Silphium perfoliatum var. connatum (Linnaeus) Cronquist which occurs in three eastern US states.) Wetland Status (NC): FACW Wetland Status (MW): FACW