Cup Plant (Note: This is a herbaceous perennial, not a tree)
Silphium perfoliatum · Herbaceous Perennial (Broadleaf)
Plant Family
Asteraceae
Tree Category
Wildflower / Ornamental Perennial
Variety / Cultivar
None (Wild Type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9
About This Tree
A tall, erect herbaceous plant often mistaken for a sapling due to its height. It features a distinct square stalk and large, sandpaper-textured leaves that join at the stem to form a water-holding basin (cup). It produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers.
Leaf Characteristics
Opposite arrangement, fused at the base around the stem (perfoliate) to form a cup. Coarsely toothed (serrated), broadly triangular to ovate, with a rough, sandpaper-like texture. Dark green color.
Bark Characteristics
Not applicable (Herbaceous). The stem is stout, glabrous (smooth), and sharply four-angled (square-shaped), turning brown or tan as it dies back in winter.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and Central North America, specifically Prairies and moist meadows
Growing Season
Shoots emerge in spring; flowers from mid-summer (July) through early autumn (September); dormant in winter
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist to wet soil; high water needs but becomes drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Height: 4 to 8 feet; Spread: 2 to 3 feet; Fast growth rate; Lifespan: Perennial (many years).
Special Characteristics
Highly drought tolerant once established; notable for the water-collecting cups which provide a unique micro-ecosystem; attracts numerous pollinators; resistant to most deer and rabbits.
Wildlife & Ecology
Excellent bird resource; the 'cups' provide water for birds and beneficial insects. Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Seeds are a food source for finches in the fall.