False Fennel
Eupatorium leptophyllum
(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