Cup Plant

Appearance

The typical height of ''S. perfoliatum'' plant ranges from 1–2.5 m. The stem is stout, smooth, slightly hairy strongly 4-angled square, like mint plants.

The leaves are opposite, toothed and ovate. The petioles are widely winged and fused around the stem, forming a cup. The first flower develops on the tip of the main stem, then more flowers develop on side branches.

The flowers, which appear from midsummer to autumn, look very similar to sunflowers, but are a lot smaller; measuring about 2.5 cm in diameter, with golden yellow ray florets.

In the middle of the flower there are small, sterile, tubular disk florets, which are structurally bisexual, but the stamens are the only fertile part, and they do not produce seeds. The corollas are tubular, 5-toothed, and the style is undivided.

Naming

The specific epithet ''perfoliatum'' means "through the leaf."

There are two varieties:-
⤷ ''S. perfoliatum'' var. ''connatum''
⤷ ''S. perfoliatum'' var. ''perfoliatum''.

Distribution

Currently, it can be found in the following states: USA , CAN.

Status

''S. perfoliatum'' is listed as a threatened species in Michigan.
Whereas ''S. perfoliatum'' is listed as a prohibited, highly invasive plant species in New York State.

Habitat

''S. perfoliatum'' grows in sandy moist bottom lands, floodplains, near stream beds, in or adjacent to open woodland.

Reproduction

The ray florets have female characteristics, and eventually develop to become thin brown achenes with a marginal wing utilized for wind dispersal. Insect pollinators including bees, butterflies, and skippers help to cross-fertilize flowers to produce seeds.

20 to 30 seeds are created in each flower head. Each seed is about 9 to 15 mm long, 6–9 mm wide, flattened in shape, with a thickness of 1 mm.''S. perfoliatum'' is able to establish colonies due to its central taproot system and shallow rhizomes.

A multi-rhizomed clone originating from a single seed is believed to be 15 years old. The roots found in botanical gardens have been estimated to be more than 50 years old. ''S. perfoliatum'' has an extensive root system and does not transplant well except when very young.

Uses

''S. perfoliatum'' produces a resin that has an odor similar to turpentine. The plant contains a gum and resin; the root has been used medicinally. The resin has been made into chewing gum to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Native Americans would cut off the top of the plant stalk and collect the resinous sap that was emitted from the plant. The resin was used for a chewing gum to freshen the breath.

The Winnebagos Tribe believed that a potion made from the rhizome would provide supernatural powers. The people belonging to the tribe would drink this potion before hunting. The people of the Chippewas tribe used the root extract for back and chest pains, to prevent excessive menstruation, and to treat lung hemorrhage. During the spring, the tender young leaves were cultivated as an acceptable food source by cooking or a salad.

The powdered form of ''S. perfoliatum has diaphoretic and tonic properties. It can help alleviate the symptoms of fevers, dry cough, asthma, spleen illness, heart and liver disease.

The extract from the leaves of the plant has shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels in blood. Studies show that the presence of phenolic acids is responsible for the species’ antiseptic activity to stimulate generation of IgG and IgM antibodies. In addition, it stimulates bile production of the gall bladder.