Removing Tall Growth -- The Cup Plant

The initial seed mix listing did not include certain tall-growing plants that have shown up.  These plants, which are very beneficial and are native to the area, exceed the committee's commitment to low and medium growth plants that stay below 6 feet in height.  

Removing the cup plant from the restoration site.

While not all were removed this year, the largest and most aggressive of the them - the cup plant - was partially removed by digging them up, while many were cut back with the intention of transplanting them in early spring 2015 to a plot that is not located by any residential neighbors.

The cup plant is a coarse, sunflower-like native plant that grows on tough, erect stems to 4-8' tall and is distinguished from the other silphiums by its square/quadrangular stems and pairs of cup-forming leaves. Flower heads (to 3" diameter) featuring light yellow rays (20-40) and darker yellow center disks bloom in summer on the upper part of the plant. Rough, triangular to ovate, coarsely-toothed, opposite, connate-perfoliate, medium green leaves. Lower leaves (to 14" long) are united at the petioles. Middle and upper leaves lack petioles, and leaf pairs are united at the bases to envelop the stem forming a cup (hence the common name). Leaf cups will collect rain water. This species is also commonly called cup rosin weed because its stems (like those of all silphiums) exude a gummy sap when broken or cut.)

The cups catch and retain rainwater for insects and birds (see corresponding photo). Cup Plant is also considered "carnivorous" because it absorbs the insects that drown in its cups.

Standing tall at around six feet (more in wetter soils, less in drier soils), its yellow blossoms can be seen starting in July when the butterflies visit them, and then later when the birds begin to feed on its seeds.

Various birds, especially goldfinches, are very fond of the seeds, and drink water from the cups formed by the leaves. Because of the tendency to form dense colonies, this plant provides good cover for birds, which often lurk among the leaves during the heat of the day, searching for insects or pausing to rest.