Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Asteraceae

Genus:

Silphium

Species:

Silphium albiflorum

USDA Symbol:

SIAL

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

150 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul,aug

Bloom Colors:

white, cream

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:

★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from deep taproot following fire; adapted to periodic burns in prairie ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rocky, well-drained limestone soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to limestone prairies and glades

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds benefit from cold stratification. Light may aid germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI