Rosin Weed (Silphium integrifolium)
Rosin Weed attracts many native bees with its nectar and pollen. It is also a host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths and 10 different specialist bees (Johnson and Colla, 2023). It is possibly beneficial for the threatened Two-spotted Eucoma and Giant Eucosma (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). However, due to loss of habitat, its status is listed as endangered in Michigan (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Ironically, this plant can be aggressive and can overwhelm small gardens in optimal conditions, so choose your planting space wisely.
Photo credit: Frank Mayfield
Rosin Weed attracts many native bees with its nectar and pollen. It is also a host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths and 10 different specialist bees (Johnson and Colla, 2023). It is possibly beneficial for the threatened Two-spotted Eucoma and Giant Eucosma (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). However, due to loss of habitat, its status is listed as endangered in Michigan (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Ironically, this plant can be aggressive and can overwhelm small gardens in optimal conditions, so choose your planting space wisely.
Photo credit: Frank Mayfield
Rosin Weed attracts many native bees with its nectar and pollen. It is also a host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths and 10 different specialist bees (Johnson and Colla, 2023). It is possibly beneficial for the threatened Two-spotted Eucoma and Giant Eucosma (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). However, due to loss of habitat, its status is listed as endangered in Michigan (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Ironically, this plant can be aggressive and can overwhelm small gardens in optimal conditions, so choose your planting space wisely.
Photo credit: Frank Mayfield
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Height: 5 feet
Plant Spacing: 2-4 feet
Bloom Time: July-September
Bloom Color: Yellow
Advantages: Bird Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Deer Resistant
Host Plant: 6 species of butterflies and moths in our area (Johnson and Colla, 2023)
Specialist Bee: Andrena aliciae, Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, P. rugosus, Dieunomia heteropoda, Melissodes coloradensis, M. illatus, M. vernoniae, M. wheeleri, Paranthidium jugatorium, Megachile inimica (Johnson and Colla, 2023)
Species of Concern: State Status: Threatened (legally protected). State Rank: Imperiled (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)
Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Possibly Two-spotted Eucosma (Eucosma bipunctella) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu), Possibly Giant eucosma moth (Eucosma giganteana) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)
Resource: Johnson, Lorraine, and Sheila Colla. A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators: Creating Habitat in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest. Island Press, 2023
