Like oil on water, the subtle sheen of color softly overlays on the flat, fine green fronds in a magical way. If you site it well, it forms a dense mat that spreads in all directions from the clump, fronds often rooting at their tips to eventually form a 1' high groundcover. It needs a rich, moist soil that receives moisture or mist regularly, such as along a creek's edge, where it gets a light mist or spray from the water. Possibly hardy in zone 5 with winter mulch. Basal, heart-shaped leaves sometimes have a purplish back.
Plants like to colonize in favorable conditions, creating a nice woodland groundcover.
They are part of the late summer wave of yellow from Goldenrods, Sunflowers, and Rudbeckias, all of which provide food for birds in early fall. This is a rugged, midwestern native with leaves that pierce and wrap around stout stems to form a depression that catches a splash of water. Birds quickly find this naturally occurring water source and perch on the leaves for a sip. Very drought tolerant, Cup Plant is right at home at the back of wild meadow-like plantings, where it can sway and lean into grasses and other tall perennials. Tiny leaves clump together like a fan and bear yellow-eyed, tiny blue flowers above the foliage.