Description: This is a native perennial wildflower about 1½–5' tall that regularly branches. The erect to ascending stems are light green to dull reddish brown, terete, and densely covered with long glandular hairs. The blades of the alternate or opposite leaves are up to 10" long and half as much across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. They have long hairy petioles. The lower to middle leaf blades are pinnately lobed and somewhat dentate or undulate along their margins; there are usually 3-7 major lobes with pointed tips. The upper leaf blades often lack lobes; they are usually deltoid-ovate or a similar shape. The upper surface of each leaf blade is dull medium green; it is either hairless or slightly hairy. Small clusters of flowerheads develop from the upper stems and the axils of upper leaves. Each flowerhead is about ½" across; it has several disk florets in the center and 5-7 ray florets along its edges. The small disk florets have cream-colored tubular corollas with 5 lobes; their reproductive organs form columnar structures that are golden yellow. The white ray florets terminate into 3 short lobes; sometimes the petal-like extensions of the ray florets are absent. Only the ray florets are fertile.
At the base of each flowerhead, there 5
outer phyllaries (floral scales) that are light green and pubescent; these
outer phyllaries are lanceolate-ovate and become recurved when the flowerheads
bloom. Sometimes, there are 1-2 small leafy bracts underneath each flowerhead;
they are linear-lanceolate in shape. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer
into the fall and lasts about 2 months; only a few flowerheads are in bloom at
the same time. Somewhat later, the flowerheads turn brown and each ray floret
is replaced by an obovoid achene that is prominently 3-angled; there is no tuft
of hairs at its apex. The root system is fibrous.
Cultivation: This species is typically found in
light to medium shade, moist to slightly dry conditions, and loamy to slightly
rocky soil with abundant organic matter. The size of individual plants is
variable, depending on moisture conditions and soil fertility.
Range & Habitat: Leaf-Cup is occasional
throughout Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). Habitats include rich mesic woodlands, upland woodlands and bluffs,
shaded moist ravines, wooded slopes with small springs, and limestone or
sandstone glades. This wildflower can be found in either Oak-Hickory,
Maple-Linden, or Maple-Beech woodlands; it is usually found in higher quality
woodlands where the original ground flora is still intact.
Faunal
Associations: Very little is known about floral-faunal relationships
for this species. I have observed ants and small beetles sucking nectar from
the disk florets of the flowerheads; however, these insects are probably
ineffective at cross-pollination. Small bees are more likely to be the primary
pollinators of the flowerheads. The woodland leaf beetle Sumitrosis
inaequalis feeds on the foliage of Leaf-Cup and other species in the Aster
family; its larvae are leaf-miners.
Photographic Location: A deciduous woodland at
Portland Arches Conservation Area in west-central Indiana.
Comments: This woodland wildflower is a medium-large
leafy plant. However, it isn't very well known among members of the public
because its small flowerheads are not very showy. The closest relative is
Smallanthus uvedalius (Bear's Foot), which has larger yellow flowerheads
and palmately lobed leaves. This latter species can become up to 8' tall; it is
restricted to southern Illinois.