Eupatorium perfoliatum L.

Common Boneset; Common Thoroughwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Common Boneset is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Common Boneset occurs along streams and rivers, around ponds and lakes, in marshes and swamps, in low woods and pastures, and in wet roadside ditches. It is a perennial from a short caudex (a basal portion of the stem from which new growth is produced). Stems are from 2-6 feet in height and usually unbranched below flowering stems near the apex. The stems are pubescent, and green or reddish in color. The leaves are opposite, sessile, and connate-perfoliate (the bases of the leaves wrap around the stem and merge). Leaves are oblong in outline, with serrate margins, and are pubescent and gland dotted on the lower surface. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in corymbs. Each head contains 7-11 white disc flowers. The fruit is an achene. Common Boneset is commonly available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a moist to wet soil high in organic matter. Plants flower best in full to partial sun. Common Boneset is a larval food plant for several moth species including: Haploa clymene (Clymene Moth), Papaipema cataphracta (Burdock Borer Moth), Schinia trifascia (Three-Lined Flower Moth), and Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria (Blackberry Looper Moth). Common Boneset is known to hybridize with other Eupatorium species, including E. serotinum (the hybrids is E. ×truncatum Muhlenberg ex Willdenow). Common Boneset is used in herbal medicines for breaking fevers and to induce heavy sweating.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW+ (NWPL)

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