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Silphium perfoliatum - (image 1 of 6)

Taxonomy

Family: Asteraceae

Habitat

Floodplains near streams. Calcareous springy places. Woods and low ground.

Associates

Near streams with Acer negundo, Acer saccharinum, Actinomeris alternifolia, Ambrosia trifida, Asarum canadense, Campanula americana, Celtis occidentalis, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Elymus virginicus, Fraxinus americana, Galium aparine, Geum canadense, Hydrophyllum virginianum, Laportea canadensis, Lysimachia ciliata, Osmorhiza longistylis, Ranunculus septentrionalis, Rhus radicans, Rudbeckia laciniata, Sambucus canadensis, Sanicula gregaria, Ulmus americana, Urtica procera, Viola sororia, Zizia aurea. In calcareous springy places with Anemone canadensis, Angelica atropurpurea, Apios americana, Equisetum arvense, Eupatorium maculatum, Impatiens capensis, Solidago patula, Symplocarpus foetidus.

 Distribution

Southern Ontario west to ND, south to NC, MI, LA, and OK. Introduced to New England.

Morphology

Coarse, herbaceous perennial, to 12' high. Stems quadrangular. Leaves connate-perfoliate, the blade deltoid to ovate, coarsely toothed, to 6" long. Heads in an open inflorescence, the disk to 1" wide; involucral bracts elliptic or ovate; rays yellow, to 4 cm long. Fruit an achene.

Notes

Flowers early June to early September

Wetland indicator: Upland

This species has been investigated as a possible forage plant for its high nutritional value and low fiber content. Makes an excellent centerpiece in a garden setting, space allowing.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

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