Silphium terebinthinaceum

42.14105988, -87.7878952

42.14105988, -87.78788757

42.14143372, -87.78899384

42.14185715, -87.78865814

42.14202881, -87.78518677

42.14261246, -87.78713226

42.14261627, -87.78713226

42.14294815, -87.78515625

42.14414597, -87.78567505

42.14440918, -87.78640747

42.14469528, -87.78581238

42.14789963, -87.79364777

42.14814377, -87.79171753

42.14818954, -87.79138184

42.14923096, -87.78624725

42.15016556, -87.7950058

Prairie Dock

Prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) is a distinctive native of the tallgrass prairie featuring leafless stems up to 10 feet tall topped by panicles of bright yellow, 3-inch-wide flowers. The leaves—some quite large—form a rosette not more than a couple of feet high that are cordate (heart shaped) and very rough.

Prairie dock is not fussy as to soils or soil moisture content and flowers best in full sun. The taproot can grow as deep as 12 feet and older plants will form offsets a foot or more away from the mother plant. Bees and hummingbirds are frequent pollinators, and goldfinches adore the seeds.

Soil:
Moderate
Plant Shape:
Upright
Exposure:
Full Sun
Bloom Time:
July - August
September - October
Bloom Color:
Yellow
Landscape Use:
Bedding or Border
Specimen Plant
Wildlife Interest:
Attracts Birds
Attracts Butterflies
Resistant To Deer
Plant Type:
Perennial
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8