Eupatorium perfoliatum L. Boneset, common boneset, thoroughwort
Eupatorium is a genus of flowering plants, part of the enormous aster family. Perfoliatum means perforated, referring to the fact that the stem appears to grow through opposing pairs of adjoined leaves. The common name, boneset, derives from the plant’s use at one time in treating dengue fever, which was also known as breakbone. Identification: Plants reach 3' (1 m) high. The stout, very hairy stem branches at the top to support the flowers. Leaves are up to 8" (20 cm) long, long and narrow, with pointed ends and fine serrations. Prominent veins produce a rough upper surface and a hairy, somewhat sticky lower surface. Opposite leaf pairs are joined around the stem (“connate”), so that the stem appears to be growing through them, a major identifying trait. Small, dull white (sometimes pinkish) flowers emerge in flat-topped or slightly dome-shaped clusters at the top of the stem, which branches to support multiple clusters. Individual flowers are about ⅛" (3 mm) in diameter. The flowers lack petals (“rays”) and look like tiny shaving brushes. Medical: Boneset has a long and often dubious history of medicinal use. Its opposite pairs of joined leaves were once thought to signify the power to heal broken bones. It was used to treat dengue fever. It was also used as a stimulant, and a laxative. Leaves brewed into a tea have been used to reduce fever, its primary use. There is no evidence to support any of these uses, and some evidence of mild toxicity—plants “should not be ingested.” Some similar species: |
8/24/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hampshire 8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts 9/2/2017 · Rocky Ridge Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire |
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Eupatorium capillifolium |
You are here Eupatorium perfoliatum |
Ageratina altissima |
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Plant | Plants reach 3' (1 m) high. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | Small, dull white (sometimes pinkish) flowers are flat-topped or slightly dome-shaped clusters. Individual flowers are about ⅛" (3 mm) in diameter. The flowers lack petals (“rays”) and look like tiny shaving brushes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves | Opposite leaf pairs are joined around the stem, so that the stem appears to be growing through them. Leaves are up to 8" (20 cm) long, long and narrow, with pointed ends and fine serrations. Prominent veins produce a rough upper surface and a hairy, somewhat sticky lower surface. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stem | The stout, very hairy stem branches at the top to support the flowers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Range/ Zones |
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Habitats | Damp fields, low meadows. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild | Wild |
Online References:
Eupatorium perfoliatum on Missouriplants.com
Eupatorium perfoliatum at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Eupatorium perfoliatum on Botanical.com
Eupatorium perfoliatum at Illinois Wildflowers
Eupatorium perfoliatum on eFloras
Eupatorium perfoliatum on the Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site
Eupatorium perfoliatum at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Eupatorium perfoliatum on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
Eupatorium perfoliatum on eFloras
References:
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 8 × 12" (20 × 31 cm)
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 16 × 22" (41 × 55 cm)
8/3/2012 · Bemis Rd Conservation Area, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)
8/27/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Self-guided Nature Trail, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 5 × 5" (13 × 13 cm)
8/14/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Old Long Loop, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 6 × 5" (15 × 12 cm)
8/24/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hampshire
≈ 5 × 8" (12 × 19 cm)
7/31/2012 · Bemis Rd Conservation Area, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)
Eupatorium perfoliatum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
8/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 14 × 19" (36 × 48 cm)
8/24/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hampshire
≈ 5 × 8" (12 × 19 cm)
7/19/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain
8/25/2013 · Casalis State Forest, Elm Hill Rd, Peterborough, New Hampshire
≈ 27 × 23" (68 × 58 cm)
8/27/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Self-guided Nature Trail, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 7 × 9" (16 × 22 cm)
8/14/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Old Long Loop, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 10 × 7" (24 × 16 cm)
7/19/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain
8/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 14 × 11" (36 × 27 cm)
Range: Zones 3-8: