Flower ID: IMG_1255.JPG-10-02-2018 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). 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, 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