Silphium asteriscus L.

Starry Rosinweed; Common Rosinweed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Starry Rosinweed is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Starry Rosinweed occurs in forest openings, in thin woods, in clear cuts, on roadsides, and along fence rows. It is a perennial from a hardened crown. There are 1-4 upright stems 3-5 feet in height from each crown. The stems are glabrous or pubescent, sometimes glaucous, reddish-brown to green in color, and unbranched below the inflorescence. Basal leaves are usually absent at flowering time. Stem leaves are alternate or opposite, petiolate or sessile, lanceolate to ovate in outline, with entire or toothed margins. The leaves are pubescent, often with stiff hairs that give the leaves a rough feel. The flowers are produced in heads. The heads are solitary or in panicles or racemes. The phyllaries (bracts subtending the heads) are green in color, in 2-3 series, and rounded. They are pubescent on their outer surface. Each head has 12-20 yellow ray flowers and 35-150 yellow disc flowers. The pales (bracts subtending individual disc flowers) are non-glandular, but pubescent. Only the ray flowers are fertile. The fruit is an achene. Starry Rosinweed is one of the most common Rosinweeds in Alabama. It is similar to several other species. Key differences include whether basal leaves are present at flowering, if leaves are glabrous or pubescent, and if pales are glandular or pubescent. Starry Rosinweed is sometimes available from nurseries. If prefers a well-draining soil in full sun. It can be used at the back of a perennial bed or along wood lines or fence rows.--A. Diamond

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Native

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