Derived from the Greek word silphium , meaning 'a plant with medicinal properties', and compositum referring to the compound basal leaves, Kidney-leaf rosinweed is a native perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. It is found throughout North Carolina, through rarer in coastal areas, on sandy soils, dry long leaf pine forests, dry woodlands, meadows, clearings, and along road sides. It is identified by the large basal rosette of leaves and a tall flowering scap, which is a stalk coming from a very compressed stem. The lower internodes are very long and have few or no bracts with the exception of the part near the basal foliage. Plant it in full sun to partial shade in sandy loamy well-drained soil. This perennial has a large taproot and it self-seeds easily. Plant it in a wildflower garden or at the back of a border and enjoy its showy yellow flowers from late spring through early fall. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Basal leaves are 4"-12" long with lobed margins that vary from ovate to reniform. Toothed leaves can be palmately or pinnately lobed. Midrib can be green or red.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower detail
8 petaled yellow flowers with center disc flowers that bloom from May-September appear on leafless stalks that can reach 4 to 8 feet tall. Disc flowers have undivided styles.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Reddish to mottled stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
AL, FL , GA, NC , SC, TN , VA, WV
Wildlife value
Birds eat the seeds. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.