Prairie Rosinweed
Silphium terebinthinaceum
Also known as: prairie rosinweed
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Stephencdickson
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Silphium
- Species:
- Silphium terebinthinaceum
- USDA Symbol:
- SITE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
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
silphius borer moth (Papaipema silphii)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis) Moths:silphius borer moth (Papaipema silphii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from deep taproot after fire. Historically maintained by prairie fires.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open prairies and savannas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination. Seeds may germinate erratically over time.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 150 days or planted in the fall. If unable to plant in the fall due to weather, store the seed dry in cold storage at 34-36 degrees F.
Establishment: The plant is found in prairies throughout the eastern and Midwestern United States, but does not occur west of Iowa. Seed is collected by hand from nursery stock. The plant flowers from approx. July 13 to August 25. Seed is harvested about Sept. 9.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.