Cup Plant is a robust prairie wildflower whose opposite leaves are fused around the square stem, forming a cup that holds rainwater. This water is used by many species of birds for drinking and bathing. Its numerous yellow flowers are visited by an extraordinary variety of native bees, and the seeds are consumed by finches.
Best time to see a Cup Plant
The best time to see a Cup Plant is June–August, when about 70% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 15,665 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Cup Plant? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Cup Plant sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Cup Plant? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Cup Plant is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love plants? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.