Common Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Also known as: Chapman's Thoroughwort

Taxonomy

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

Growth Characteristics

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

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec

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

blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), Bucculatrix eupatoriella, Carmenta pyralidiformis, larch needleworm moth (Endopiza slingerlandana), Semiothisa continuata, Three-lined Flower Moth (Schinia trifascia), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Bombus ternarius (Bombus ternarius), Bombus ternarius (Bombus ternarius), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola), Yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola) Butterflies:Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in wetlands and along stream banks

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Mix the seeds with an equal amount of either perlite or vermiculite. Seal mixture into a Ziploc-style bag or a Rubbermaid-style container, 1 month of moist cold stratification in a cool dry place (refrigerator or cold garage). Cold store until planted (up to 3 years).

Establishment: Seed is collected by hand from locally native plants in the eastern central Upper Peninsula and at Washington Memorial Parkway, TRI Swamp trail. The plant blooms in the summer and fall. Seed is an achene with pappus and is harvested in the fall. The plant grows in full sun and is found in marshes, swales, wet fields, fens, conifer swamps, thickets, low clearings, river and stream banks. It can reach a height of up to 5' with white flowers.

Source: npn.rngr.net