Eupatorium perfoliatum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-puh-TOR-ee-um per-foh-lee-AH-tum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Eupatorium perfoliatum, or Boneset, is a large herbaceous, clump-forming perennial shrub with small white flowers that appear in late summer and fall. The plant grows well in average, medium to wet soils with a consistent water source. It prefers full sun or part shade and tolerates both sandy and clay soils. The soil should contain considerable organic material so that it can retain moisture. This plant can withstand flooded conditions for short periods of time, but it is not really aquatic. The root system produces rhizomes in abundance and Boneset typically forms vegetative colonies.
Historically, Boneset was commonly included in medical herb gardens and used as a folk medicine for treatment of cases of flu, fevers, colds, and a variety of other maladies. Some authorities claim the name Boneset refers to a former use of the plant to aid the healing process for broken bones; others claim that the name is in reference to the plant's use as a diaphoretic in the treatment of an 18th century influenza called break bone fever. All parts of the plant are quite toxic and bitter.
This plant was selected as the 2003 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage may scorch if soils are allowed to dry out.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Native/ Woodland Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eupatorium
- Species:
- perfoliatum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Dried flowers. Used in herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- Native to the South Eastern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies. Pollen attracts bees.
- Edibility:
- Toxic and bitter
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of hair – they are dispersed by the wind. Fruit displays from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flat-topped cluster of 10-20 small, tubular, white flowers. Blooms from August to October. The upper stems terminate in clusters of flowerheads, spanning about 2 to 8 inches across. Each flowerhead is about 1/6 inch across and consists of about 15 disk florets. Each disk floret has 5 spreading lobes and a long divided style, in the manner of other Eupatorium spp. The blooming period typically lasts about 1 to 2 months for a colony of plants. There is a pleasant floral scent.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Pairs of wrinkled, lance-shaped, finely toothed leaves are joined together at the base. Perfoliate foliage is quite distinctive: the bases of the pairs of medium green leaves unite to surround the hairy stems (perfoliatum meaning through the foliage). The leaves are up to 8 inches long and 2 inches across, and light or yellowish green. Their bases surround the central stem and merge together (perfoliate). There is a conspicuous network of veins, particularly on the lower leaf surface. This lower surface is also pubescent. Some of the upper leaves near the inflorescence(s) are much smaller in size and sessile.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The central stem and side stems are covered with long white hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Sensitization may occur. Increase sweating and diarrhoea have been reported. May cause dermatitis. Some herbalists suggest it should not be used with a high fever in excess of 102F. Also suggest to not use boneset for more than 6 months. As potentially toxic should not be used during breast feeding. E. perfoliatum and several of its related species are listed on the Poisonous Plants Database of the US Food and Drug Administration, with E. perfoliatum described as an "unapproved homeopathic medicine" with unknown safety by the US National Library of Medicine.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- The plant should be used with some caution since large doses are laxative and emetic.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
