Silphium perfoliatum
(Cup Plant, Indian Cup Plant, Ragged Cup, Silphion Perfolie)
Origin: Native to eastern North America
Family: Asteraceae (Aster)
Light: Full sun/part shade
Height: 4-10'
Spacing: 2'
Blooms: Showy, prolific, bright yellow, 4" across, daisy-like, 20-30 rays on each flower, late Summer
Foliage: Herbaceous, green, 1' long, 6" wide, coarse, pairs, ovate, broad, joined at base
Soil: Well-drained, moist, rich, neutral, mildly akaline, drought tolerant
Water: Moderate-low
Uses: Ornamental, herb, medicinal, hummingbird garden, butterfly garden, bird garden, background planting, mass, gum
Propagation: Seeds
Comments: Silphium perfoliatum or Cup Plant or Indian Cup Plant or Ragged Cup or Silphion Perfolie is a herbaceous plant with an upright, fast growth habit. It is a native of eastern North America. In late Summer or early Fall, Silphium perfoliatum produces abundant showy, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers at end of stems, followed later by seeds in the Fall. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are magnetized by the nectar-rich blossoms while birds especially gold Finches enjoy feasting on the seeds. Ragged Cup has herbaceous green, toothed, opposite, paired leaves which fused at the base around the smooth, square stems to form a cup where rain water is collected. Many small insects, birds, hummingbirds and butterflies stop by for a drink. Indian Cup Plant is easily propagated from seeds. It thrives best in well-drained, rich, moist, neutral to mildly alkaline soil in a permanent sunny or part shade environment. Silphion Perfolie has extensive root systems making transplanting difficult unless it is very young. It is drought tolerant when established. Mass plant Ragged Cup in background planting for a terrific display. Its profuse flowers and massive height makes a striking statement in the herbal garden. In its native habitat, Silphium perfoliatum is a long-lived perennial herb found thriving in priaries, along stream banks and open woodlands. It is popularly cultivated by many gardeners as an ornamental plant.
Native Indian Americans find Indian Cup Plant very useful as a medicinal plant. They collect the resin from the plant, harden it and use as chewing gum to freshen breath, treat muscle spasm and as a stimulant. After flowering season is over, the roots are harvested for medicinal uses and as a tonic drink by steeping dried roots in hot water. The roots were also used to treat various aliments including heavy menstruation and ulcers.
'Silphium' is a Greek word referring to 'resinous juice' while 'perfoliatum' refers to 'through the leaf'.
USDA Zones: 4-8
