Silflower: Native Perennial

Multiple images of Silflower, a yellow flower with deep green foliage
Karen Beaubien, Chase Krug, Sydney Schiffner

Native Range of the Silphium Genus

Full Range of the Silphium genus extending through most of the Eastern United States

This map shows the full range of the Silphium genus, extending throughout the eastern United States.

Biota of North America Program

Silphium species

There are 16 Silphium species found in Eastern North America. 

The four most common are:

  • Wholeleaf Rosinweed
  • Compass Plant
  • Cup Plant
  • Prairie Dock 

 (see top row to the right)

 

Additional species may be found in smaller ranges or more rarely. 

A collage of all 16 species in the Silphium genus

Range of Wholeleaf Rosinweed

Range of Wholeleaf Rosinweed covering the east-central United States

The growing range of Wholeleaf Rosinweed (Silphium integrefolium) extends through the east-central United States.

Biota of North America Program

Range of Cup Plant

Range of Cup Plant covering the upper Mid-West United States

The growing range of Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) covers the entire Upper Mid-West in the United States.

Biota of North America Program