Silphium terebinthinaceum
Common name: Prairie Dock
Prairie Dock has a tall central stalk that ends in sprawling flowering branches. It has large yellow, sunflower-like blooms that occur late summer to early fall and last about a month. It has dramatic, attractive clumps of basal leaves that are dark green, heart-shaped and nearly 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. It is slow to establish but very long lived. Its flowers attract a number of pollinators, and its seeds are a food source for many small birds.
Photos
Click on each individual photo to enlarge for full size preview.
Navigation
My Cart
Plant Details
Plant type
Forbs
Soil type
Dry Mesic, Mesic (Not too Wet Not too Dry), Moist Mesic
Light exposure
Full Sun
Bloom period
Summer
Urban environment
Uncompacted Urban Soils, Harsh Exposure Tolerant, Road-side/Salt Tolerant
Habitat
Prairie Grasslands
Growth form
Shrubby/Clump
Growth rate
Moderate
Flower color
Yellow
Fall color
Yellow
Size
- Mature height
- 3 Feet
- Mature width
- 3 Feet
- Max height
- 10 Feet
- Max width
- 6 Feet
Additional information
Butterfly host plant Loved by birds Pollinator hot spot