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Eupatorium perfoliatum
Boneset, American Boneset, Thoroughwort, Agueweed, Feverwort, Sweating-plant, Indian Sage, Teasel, Vegetable Antimony

Photo by SB_Johnny

Boneset or Thoroughwort is a hardy perennial which is found throughout the Eastern half of North America in sunny, low, wet roadsides and fields. The plant grows three to four feet in height with multiple, hairy stems branched only near the top. These terminate in bright white clusters, up to eight inches across, of ten to twenty aromatic florets. Boneset’s leaves are coarse, pointed, and arranged in pairs (opposite arrangement) with the bases joined so that the stem appears to grow through them (perfoliate). It is not fussy about its soil, and spreads by rhizomes as well as by its wind-borne seeds. There are many internet references to Boneset’s use as a folk remedy, “probably no plant in American domestic practice having more extensive and frequent use” (Botanical.com). Boneset’s flat-topped flowers in August/September attract a wide range of pollinators (bees, moths, butterflies, wasps, beetles) like its famous cousin, Joe-Pye weed, and the leaves are larval food for various Lepidoptera.

Last Updated: May 15, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Eupatorium perfoliatum L.
Common Names: Boneset, American Boneset, Thoroughwort, Agueweed, Feverwort, Sweating-plant, Indian Sage, Teasel, Vegetable Antimony
Family Name: Asteraceae (Composite, or Daisy Family)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Uses: Perennial Border, Naturalizing, Pond edge, Meadow, Butterfly garden, Raingarden
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium, Moist well drained
Bloom Times: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Flower Color: White
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Rhizomatous, Fragrant flowers, Good cut flowers, Tolerates some flooding

Additional Info

Habit: Large, upright, clump-forming perennial with unbranched shoots except for floral side shoots near the apex, with hairy stems and leaves and fibrous root system; rhizomatous. No overwintering basal rosette.
Height: 4'-6'
Spread: 3'-4'
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Conditions: Moist, organic, acid to alkaline pH; sandy, loam, clay; prefers well drained but tolerates some flooding.
Leaves: Opposite, lance-shaped, wrinkled, medium green leaves up to 8" long x 2" across with serrated margins. The bases of the opposite leaves are fused around the stem, a distinctive feature.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Flat-topped clusters up to 8" across of flowerheads, each flowerhead consisting of up to 15 small, perfect, white disk florets; fragrant.
Fruit: Florets develop achenes with small tufts of hair to facilitate dispersal by wind, in late summer/early fall.
Natural Distribution: Alluvial woods, bogs, rich prairies
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACW
Pollination: Bees, butterflies and other insects
Wildlife Connections: The nectar or pollen of the flowers attracts many kinds of insects, including bees, flies, wasps, butterflies, and beetles. Caterpillars of various moth species are known to feed on vegetative parts. Foliage is too bitter to attract mammalian herbivores. (Illinoiswildflowers.info)
Cultural Notes: Introduced to American colonists by Indians who used the plant for breaking fevers by means of heavy sweating (Wikipedia). Early on, was thought to help mend broken bones (hence the common name). A common remedy in the 19th century. Still used to reduce fever, increase urine output, cause vomiting, and treat constipation (WebMD).
Propagation: By seed (sow heavily as there is low germination) or by clump division in fall.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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