Family: Asteraceae

Tuberous rooted perennial growing form 2-6’ tall. Grows great with native grasses (this is a grassland/prairie native).

Full to part sun, moderate water, hardy to -30. May or may not go dormant in the low desert, or go dormant for a short period.

Excellent nectar plant for bees, butterflies, etc. Seed eating birds like finches love the seeds. There are many species of Silphium and they are all really good wildlife plants, mostly native to the prairies and grasslands of North America.

Silphium is derived from the Green name silphion, referring to a plant native to northern Africa that bears resin. The species, integrifolium, refers to the entire or uncut leaves. There are 15 species of Silphium native to North America.

Native to eastern North America, including Ontario in Canada and the eastern and central United States as far west as New Mexico.

Photo by Erin Faulkner, iNaturalist