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| ## Cup plant {#cup-plant .Title-Header}                               |
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| *Silphium perfoliatum* L. var. *perfoliatum*                          |
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| Plant Symbol = SIPEP                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### Alternate Names

Carpenter's weed, cup rosinweed, *Silphium* *perfoliatum* L. var.
*connatum* (L.) Cronq. (SIPEC2), *Silphium perfoliatum* L. var.
*perfoliatum* (SIPEP)

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: Cup plant's young leaves were cooked in the spring as an
acceptable green (Kindscher 1987). This species was also used as a
chewing gum to help prevent vomiting (Runkel & Roosa 1989). The
Winnebagos tribe believed that this species has supernatural powers.
They would drink a concoction derived from the rhizome to purify them
before going on a buffalo hunt. It is used in the treatment of liver and
spleen disorders and has also been used to treat morning sickness
(Moerman 1998). A decoction of the root has been used as a face wash and
to treat paralysis, back and chest pain, and lung hemorrhages (Ibid.).

# Status

# Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values. 

# Description

*General*: Composite family (Asteraceae). Cup plant (*Silphium
perfoliatum*) is a tall perennial native that grows up to eight feet
tall. This species has square stems and leaves that are mostly opposite,
egg-shaped, toothed, with cuplike bases that hold water (Kindscher
1987). The flower heads are rich, golden yellow, 2.5 centimeters in
diameter, and closely grouped at the tips of the stems (Hunter 1984).
The small, tubular disk flowers are in the middle of the flower and is
sterile and does not produce fruits (Ladd, 1995).

*Distribution*: Cup plant ranges from Ontario to South Dakota, south to
Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma (Steyermark 1963). For
current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

# Adaptation

*Silphium perfoliatum* occurs on low ground, in moist areas, along
prairie streams, alluvial thickets, floodplains, and along the edges of
wet woodlands. This species is found throughout the tall grass region,
but more sporadic northward (Ladd 1995).

# Establishment

*Propagation by Seed*: Seeds are best sown as soon as they are ripe in a
greenhouse. If the seeds are collected in the fall, they should be
stratified for twelve weeks and then sown at 24 to 32ºF for four to
eight weeks, and then moved to 68ºF for germination. When the plants are
large enough to handle, place them into individual pots and plant them
out in the summer.

# Management

*Silphium perfoliatum* species should be transplanted when they are
young. This species is much easier when transplanted young because it is
very difficult to transplant once it is older due to its extensive root
system.

# Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Materials are occasionally available through native plant seed sources
and nurseries. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service
(formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look
in the phone book under "United States Government." The Natural
Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading
"Department of Agriculture."

# References

Dension, E. 1998. *Missouri wildflowers*. 5^th^ ed. Missouri Department
of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Fisher, T.R. 1988. *The dicotyledoneae of Ohio part III: Asteraceae*.
Ohio State University Press, Columbus, Ohio.

Freeman, C.C. & E.K. Schofield 1991. *Roadside wildflowers of the
southern Great Plains*. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.

Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist 1993. *Manual of vascular plants of
northeastern United States and adjacent Canada*. 2^nd^ ed. The New York
Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York.

Grimm, W.C. 1993. *The Illustrated book of wildflowers and shrubs*.
Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Hunter, C.G. 1984. *Wildflowers of Arkansas*. The Ozark Society
Foundation, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Hylander, C.J. 1954. *The MacMillan wildflower book*. The MacMillan
Company, New York, New York.

Kindscher, K. 1987. *Edible wild plants of the prairie: an
ethnobotanical guide*. University of Kansas Press, Lawrence, Kansas.

Ladd, D. 1995. *Tallgrass prairie wildflowers*. Falcon Press, Helena,
Montana.

Moldenke, H.N. 1949. *American wildflowers*. D. Van Nostrand Company,
Inc., New York, New York.

Runkel, S.T. & D.M. Roosa. 1989. *Wildflowers of the tallgrass prairie:
the upper Midwest*. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.

Steyermark, J. A. 1963. *Flora of Missouri*. The Iowa State University
Press, Ames, Iowa.

Strausbaugh, P. D. & E. L. Core 1977. *Flora of West Virginia*. 2^nd^
ed. Seneca Books, Inc., Morgantown, West Virginia.

# Prepared By

#### *Jammie Favorite*

Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

*M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Dept., Davis,
California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 03jun03 ahv; 060817 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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