Thoroughwort
Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © mtjones (iNaturalist #57605925)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Eupatorium
- Species:
- Eupatorium perfoliatum
- USDA Symbol:
- EUTR5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
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: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Atteva aurea, Carmenta pyralidiformis, Hellinsia elliottii, Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), Pyrausta acrionalis, Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) Butterflies:Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Peck's skipper (Polites peckius), Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops), Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus), White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire; benefits from periodic burning in prairie and wet meadow habitats.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI