The Appalachian cup plant grows almost exclusively in the New River Valley from West Virginia to North Carolina. Similar in some ways to the more aggressive prairie cup plant it is different in that it prefers shaded flood-plains and moist woodland clearings. The leaves join around the stem to form a "cup" in which water collects and to which birds will visit for a drink. Grows 7-8 feet tall. Yellow sunflowers appear from July to September. Zone 5-8. VA Ecotype. // Seed packet, about 30 seeds. Germination requirements: 60 days cold, moist stratification.