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Small-flowered Leafcup

Polymnia canadensis

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Partial to Shade
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Dry
Bloom time
Jun–Sep
Bloom color
White
Notes
Short-lived

About Small-flowered Leafcup

Small-flowered Leafcup is a robust and textured woodland native that provides a lush, leafy presence in the deep shade. This perennial herb typically stands 2 to 5 feet tall, featuring large, deeply lobed leaves that are covered in fine, sticky hairs, giving the plant a distinctively soft appearance. From July through October, it produces clusters of small, creamy white flowers that resemble tiny daisies. While the blooms are modest, they are a reliable source of nectar for a variety of generalist pollinators during the hotter months. Native to shady ravines, limestone-rich woods, and moist forest edges, this species is particularly well-adapted to alkaline soils. Small-flowered Leafcup is a vigorous grower that can tolerate a range of moisture levels, from medium-wet to slightly dry, provided it is protected from the direct sun. It is an excellent choice for filling large, shaded gaps in a woodland garden or for stabilizing slopes in a naturalized area. Its bold foliage and late-season blooms make it a valuable addition to any shade-focused restoration project or native landscape.

Native range

Native to 24 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.GeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyMarylandMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNorth CarolinaNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaTennesseeVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Polymnia canadensis

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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