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Silphium compositum

Phonetic Spelling
SIL-phee-um kom-POS-si-tum
Description

Derived from the Greek word silphium, meaning 'a plant with medicinal properties', and compositum referring to the compound basal leaves, Kidney-leaf rosinweed is a native perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family.  It is found throughout North Carolina, through rarer in coastal areas, on sandy soils, dry long leaf pine forests, dry woodlands, meadows, clearings, and along road sides. 

It is identified by the large basal rosette of leaves and a tall flowering scap, which is a stalk coming from a very compressed stem.  The lower internodes are very long and have few or no bracts with the exception of the part near the basal foliage. 

Plant it in full sun to partial shade in sandy loamy well-drained soil. This perennial has a large taproot and it self-seeds easily. Plant it in a wildflower garden or at the back of a border and enjoy its showy yellow flowers from late spring through early fall. 

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#yellow flowers#native perennial#herbaceous#NC native#herbaceous perennial#native garden#self-seeding#short lifespan#NC Native Pollinator Plant#border back#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#drought intolerant#salt spray intolerant#wet soils intolerant#short-lived perennials#butterfly garden#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#yellow flowers#native perennial#herbaceous#NC native#herbaceous perennial#native garden#self-seeding#short lifespan#NC Native Pollinator Plant#border back#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#drought intolerant#salt spray intolerant#wet soils intolerant#short-lived perennials#butterfly garden#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Silphium
    Species:
    compositum
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Wildflower garden
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    AL, FL , GA, NC , SC, TN , VA, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds eat the seeds. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    8 petaled yellow flowers with center disc flowers that bloom from May-September appear on leafless stalks that can reach 4 to 8 feet tall. Disc flowers have undivided styles.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Reniform
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal leaves are 4"-12" long with lobed margins that vary from ovate to reniform. Toothed leaves can be palmately or pinnately lobed. Midrib can be green or red.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Reddish to mottled stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought