Whorled Rosinweed (Silphium trifoliatum) are in bloom right now, and through the fall, along trails up here in the mountains of the Blue Ridge. An herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America.

Whorled Rosinweed grows to 3-5′, or on occasion up to 10′ tall. It’s unbranched, except where the flowers appear. Occasionally there are side stems where smaller groupings of flowers appear.

This Rosinweed is a member of the Asteraceae (Aster) family. The flowers are composite, like other Asters, but are larger. They’re up to 2″ in diameter. Viable seeds are produced by the bright yellow ray flowers. And though these flowers resemble Sunflowers, the disc flowers are sterile.

They’re very tolerant of many conditions, but prefer dry, open, sunny areas.

The leaves are whorled. Usually 3 leaves per whorl but sometimes up to five. Often the upper leaves are opposite and in rare incidences alternate.

It’s always fun to find new things along the trails up here.