Bear's Foot Smallanthus uvedalia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Polymnia uvedalia
- Phonetic Spelling
- small-AN-thus oo-ve-DAHL-ee-ah
- Description
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Bear's foot is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that can be found in all areas of NC. It is native to eastern and central USA although it is becoming rare in some states. It can be found growing at woodland edges, meadows, along streams, and open woods. The large lobed leaves cup the stem giving it the common name of hairy leafcup and the shape of the leaf gives it the name of bear's foot.
In mid-summer into early fall, it produces many yellow flower heads that attract several types of pollinators.
This plant is adaptable to different well-drained soil types in sun to partial shade. As it can reach 3-8 feet tall, use it in the back of the border, along a fence or naturalized in a woodland or meadow setting. It is easy to grow, doesn't spread aggressively and is adaptable. Due to the height and hollow stems, staking may be helpful to prevent the stems from bending in strong winds. Do not cut the plant down for winter as native bees will over-winter in the hollow stems.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Smallanthus
- Species:
- uvedalia
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in herbal medicine to make tinctures to treat inflammation, rheumatism, and skin sores.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and southeastern U.S.A., Mexico
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts many pollinators and several birds will eat the seeds. Bees make winter nests in the hollow stems.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Reddish-brown oval to round ribbed achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow flower heads are in clusters. Each flower head has 7-13 yellow ray flowers and 40-80 tubular staminate yellow disc flowers. Blooms June through Sept.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Ovate
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Triangular or ovate opposite leaves form a small cup around the long stems, hence the name Leafcup. The leaves are palmately lobed, green, lighter below with fine hairs scattered on both leaf surfaces. Leaves are 4 to 12 in long and wide with a prominent midrib, toothed and gland-dotted.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green ribbed stems are hollow and may be mottled with purple. May or may not have hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
