Cup Plant

Silphium perfoliatum

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Papaipema baptisiae, Hydraecia immanis
S13+S15 2 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena aliciae, Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, Pseudopanurgus rugosus, Dieunomia heteropoda, Paranthidium jugatorium, Megachile inimica
S17 Asteraceae genus-level specialists on Silphium; ranges include eastern NA states

Proximity Score: 1
Native Status: ❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: S
CEC Eco-Regions: 8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.1 – Eastern Great Lakes and Hudson Lowlands
Rarity Notes: Ranked S2 (Imperiled) in Ontario and N2 nationally in Canada, reflecting a limited native range restricted to southernmost Ontario floodplains. Ranked G5 globally. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. In Quebec the species is introduced (SNA). NatureServe lists native subnational populations only in IA, IN, KY, MI, MS, ON, PA, VA, and WV.
S22 S2 ON, N2 CA, G5 global; S26 not SARA listed; S1 introduced in QC
Rarity Ranks: QC SNA – Not Applicable, ON S2 – Imperiled
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Cup plant is a tall rhizomatous perennial of rich floodplain forests, stream margins, prairies, and moist low ground. In Ontario it is imperiled (S2), occurring natively only in the southernmost part of the province along rivers such as the Galien, Huron, and Raisin. It characteristically forms large patches in moist openings along stream corridors, often associated with Acer nigrum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Solidago gigantea. Introduced populations occur in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
S7 floodplain forests and river banks; S22 S2 in ON; S29 rich woods, thickets, river banks and prairies; S62 introduced in Ottawa

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: Cup plant functions as a structural anchor and insectary plant in moist woodland edge and prairie guild designs. Its tall stature and persistent stems provide nesting structure for native bees, while the perfoliate leaf cups offer water reservoirs for birds and beneficial insects. PFAF recommends placement in woodland garden sunny edge, dappled shade, or shady edge positions. Its rhizomatous spread should be accounted for in design spacing.
S29 woodland garden habitats; S64 NPPBI nest site + beneficial insects; S61 leaf cups hold water for birds; S4 attracts birds and butterflies

Category: Alterative, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Febrifuge, Hepatic, Pectoral, Stimulant, Styptic, Tonic
S29 PFAF medicinal categories; S28 Moerman Drug categories including Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Cold Remedy, Hemostat, Gastrointestinal Aid, Gynecological Aid
Notes: Widely used by multiple Indigenous nations including Chippewa, Iroquois, Meskwaki, Ojibwa, Omaha, Ponca, and Winnebago. Root decoctions were used for back and chest pain, lung hemorrhage, rheumatism, and head colds. Smoke from burning roots was inhaled for neuralgia and rheumatism by Omaha, Ponca, and Winnebago peoples. Meskwaki used root preparations to prevent premature birth and reduce morning sickness. The root was also applied as a poultice to stop bleeding. PFAF rates medicinal value at 2 out of 5.
S28 Moerman 32 uses across 7 nations; S29 PFAF medicinal rating 2/5

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No edible uses documented. USDA rates human palatability as absent and PFAF assigns an edibility rating of 0 out of 5 with no known edible uses. Moerman records 32 ethnobotanical uses but none in the food category.
S11 Palatable Human=No; S29 Edibility Rating=0/5; S28 32 uses, 0 food