(Silphium integrifolium)
Entire-leaf Rosinweed

Entire-leaf Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)

Description of Entire-leaf Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)

Entire-leaf Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium), a member of the Asteraceae (Aster Family), is a herbaceous perennial that grows from 1′ to 6.5′ tall and blooms with yellow flowers in the summer to early fall (July to September).  This plant grows in places with full sun that have medium well-drained soils and is hardy in zones 4-8.  More information on this species can be found on this blog post.

Hosted Species

This species hosts the Bordered Patch Butterfly (Chlosyne lacinia) in the western part of its range and the silphius borer moth (Papaipema silphii), throughout.

Nectar Species

This species is a nectar source to other butterflies, skippers, bees, and wasps during the growing season.  Birds, such as goldfinch, like to eat the seeds in the fall.

Habitat

This rosinweed grows in open areas such as prairies, floodplains, roadsides, and railroads.

Range of Entire-leaf Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium) in the United States and Canada

This rosinweed has two varieties and is native to the mid-western and south-central United States and Ontario in Canada.

Origin of the Name

The genus name, Silphium, is derived from the Greek word that originated from a resin-bearing plant (Missouri Botanical Garden).  The species name, integrifolium, is Latin for entire leaves (Missouri Botanical Garden).