Ken Gonyo, who will be leading nature walks at the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area (ORCA) on the first and third Saturday of each month from November through April, asked why this plant, Smallanthus urvedia, is called yellow leafcup or hairy leafcup.  Right now, this plant is putting on a fabulous floral show in the ORCA parking lot.

He said that he relates well to the other common name, bear’s paw, that refers to its huge leaves …

From the side you can see how the bracts (specialized leaves) cup this new bud  or the old flower …