Smallanthus uvedalia, Hairy Leafcup

Hairy Leafcup Also known as Bear’s foot, Hairy leafcup (Smallanthus uvedalia) is an uncommon herbaceous perennial with bright blooms comprised of yellow ray and disk florets. Ray florets are notched at the tips. Flowers are borne on branched panicles. Leaves are distinctively broad and palmately lobed or dissected, giving the leaf a “bear’s foot” appearance (hence the common name). Each leaf has a prominent midrib, rough surface and toothed margins. Lower leaves are oppositely arranged, while upper leaves are alternate. Stems are hollow, ribbed and may be mottled with purple. Fruit is an almost-spheric achene. Hairy leafcup occurs naturally in upland hardwood forests, slope forests, upland mixed woodlands, and moist shaded hammocks. It typically blooms in summer and attracts a variety of bees and other pollinators. Smallanthus uvedelia was formerly placed in the “leafcup” genus – Polymnia — and was known as Polymnia uvedalia. It was reclassified as Smallanthus and is currently the on