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Bearsfoot

Polymnia uvedalia

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
Yellow

About Bearsfoot

Bearsfoot is a towering, architectural native perennial that commands attention in any woodland garden or shaded border. Reaching impressive heights of 3 to 10 feet, this robust plant features large, deeply lobed leaves that resemble a bear's paw, providing a lush, tropical texture throughout the growing season. From July through September, it produces clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that sit atop stout, hairy stems. Native to the eastern and central United States, Bearsfoot thrives in moist, fertile soils and dappled sunlight, often found naturally along woodland edges and stream banks. Its late-season blooms are a vital resource for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, while its dense foliage offers excellent cover for small wildlife. For best results, plant in a sheltered location with medium-wet to medium-dry soil. While it is a vigorous grower, it remains a clump-forming species that adds significant vertical interest and ecological value to naturalized landscapes.

Native range

Native to 26 states:

AlabamaArkansasD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMichiganMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Polymnia uvedalia

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

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