Silphium perfoliatum, commonly called cup plant, is a sunflower-like plant. As you are out and about in the Arboretum, you can find it along the side of the Medford Campus Community Building parking lot. It typically grows on tough, strong stems to 4-8′ tall and is distinguished from the other silphiums by its square/quadrangular stems and pairs of cup-forming leaves. The leaves of the plant come together in pairs to envelope the stem forming the cup, hence the common name. These cups collect rain water. The cheerful yellow flowers are in full bloom and enjoying the sunshine. This plant is great if you have a large area or border for it to spread its wings.
