Eupatorium leptophyllum DC.

False Fennel; Limesink Dog Fennel

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Limesink Dog Fennel is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family. It can be found in the southern tier of counties. Limesink Dog Fennel occurs in depression ponds, around gum or pond cypress ponds, and around water filled limesinks. It is a perennial from a short rhizome. Stems are solitary from each root stock, 1-4 feet in height, branched above the middle, glabrous, gland dotted, and green in color. Leaves are opposite or alternate, sessile or short petiolate, pinnately or ternately lobed, and gland dotted. The segments of the leaf are linear, 1-nerved, with entire margins. Short axillary branches often occur in the axils of the leaves and may make the leaves appear whorled at first glance. All parts of the plant are aromatic when crushed. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in recurved panicles. Each head has 5 white disc flowers. The fruit is an achene with white pappus bristles. Limesink Dog Fennel is not related to the herb Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) which is a member of the Carrot family (Apiaceae). Limesink Dog Fennel contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can damage the liver if the plant is consumed. Limesink Dog Fennel is sometimes utilized as a “strewing herb” to repel insects.--A. Diamond

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Native FAC+ (NWPL)

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