silphium perfoliatum l.


cup plant

cup plant

Yellow daisy-type flowers 3-7 ft (1-2.5m) Big scary leaves joined together at base with “cup” indent where stem goes through. Astringent, used for bleeding and heavy menstrual periods, ulcers, liver and spleen. High in protein, used as livestock food. Has resin that smells like turpentine. Sap used as chewing gum to freshen breath and prevent nausea. Young leaves and shoots used in salads, roots used medicinally. Used for fever, asthma, spleen, heart, liver, gallbladder, bile, cholesterol, antiseptic. Related to Prairie Dock, Rosinweed.