Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Section: Common Name: Scientific Name: Family:
Account for Virginia Cup-plant - Silphium connatum   L.
Members of Asteraceae:
Members of Silphium with account distribution info or public map:
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AuthorL.
DistributionNorthern Piedmont and northern (VA border counties) Mountains.

A small range -- VA and WV south to northwestern NC.
AbundanceRare to uncommon. The NCNHP database has 19 records, most still or believed extant, but hardly any are good or excellent populations. This is a State Special Concern species.
HabitatMoist soils of floodplain forests and bottomlands, especially in openings and along edges. Habitat is very similar to that of the closely related S. perfoliatum.
PhenologyFlowering and fruiting June-August.
IdentificationThis and S. perfoliatum differ from other rosinweeds by their paired leaves that are fused basally around the stem (connate). Virginia Cup-plant has spreading coarse hairs on the stems (vs. glabrate) and 8-13 ray florets (vs. 21-34 rays). Both are striking and spectacular plants -- reaching 6-9 feet tall, with square stems, and rather large sunflower-like flowers. To check these two species, run your finger along the stem; if rough and scabrous, it is this species; smooth is S. perfoliatum.
Taxonomic CommentsSometimes treated as S. perfoliatum var. connatum.

Other Common Name(s)Appalachian Cup-plant
State RankS2
Global RankG5T3T4 [G3G4]
State StatusSC-V
US Status
USACE-agcp
USACE-emp
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