False Fennel

Eupatorium leptophyllum

False Fennel

(c) Jay Horn, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Eupatorium
Species:
Eupatorium leptophyllum

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
6-8 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
aug, sep, oct
Bloom Colors:
White

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Dichomeris aglaia, Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in wet pine flatwoods and marshes