Eupatorium perfoliatum (Common Boneset)
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Eupatorium |
| Family: | Asteraceae (Aster) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | sun; moist fields, along shores |
| Bloom season: | July - October |
| Plant height: | 2 to 4 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACW MW: OBL NCNE: FACW |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers, and a pollinator]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/eupatorium-perfoliatum_002.jpg)
Flat-topped branching clusters of stalked flowers at the top of the stem and arising from upper leaf axils, a cluster comprised of numerous small clusters of up to 15 disk flowers each. Flowers are about ¼ inch across, dull white, star-shaped with 5 triangular petal-like lobes. In the center is a brown column of stamens; emerging from the center of the colum is a 2-parted style that is white, flattened, long and string-like. The bracts around the base of a flower are in 1 or 2 layers, oblong, hairy and gland-dotted, light green but whitish at the pointed tip.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/eupatorium-perfoliatum-common-boneset_0824_141741.jpg)
Opposing leaves join around the stem so it appears the stem grows through one large leaf, occasionally leaves are whorled in 3s. Leaves are wrinkly, 4 to 8 inches long, up to 2 inches wide, tapering to a point at the tip, with small rounded teeth along the edges. Both surfaces are hairy and the underside is gland-dotted. Stems are erect, branched in the upper plant, and densely covered in long, spreading hairs.
Fruit:
Fruit is a dry, black seed with a small tuft of hair to carry it off in the wind.
Notes:
The leaf attachment makes Common Boneset easy to distinguish from other species with similar flowers.
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More photos
Common Boneset plant
Common Boneset with Joe-pye weed and Grass-leaved Goldenrod
garden-grown Common Boneset
leaves whorled in 3s
Common Boneset plant
Common Boneset with Joe-pye weed and Grass-leaved Goldenrod
garden-grown Common Boneset
leaves whorled in 3sPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Battle Creek Regional Park, Ramsey County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka County and in a private garden in Lino Lakes.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2014-07-10 16:12:19
Boneset is growing in our marsh, the roots and lower stems fully immersed in rising water, among Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)and other marshy plants.
on: 2015-06-19 20:00:20
I have a large common boneset growing in a seeded prairie patch about 20 feet from the shoreline of Indianhead Lake, in wet-mesic soil, full sun, surrounded by other prairie forbs and grasses.
on: 2019-07-13 17:37:07
In the Zim, MN area on a trail through a fen. Dozens of plants.
on: 2020-08-23 19:12:57
Abundant with bulrush and sneezeweed in unmowed moist areas in Chambers Grove Park, Hwys 23 nd 210.
on: 2021-07-25 18:06:31
Many in bloom now, fun to see with all the other prairie plants in bloom, real rainbow of color.
on: 2022-08-11 11:42:22
Hundreds of plants in previously mowed pond setback. Moist rich soil. Heights exceeding 5 feet. Densely crowding out other native flowers. Very few bees or butterflies seen on flowers.
on: 2023-09-04 17:17:37
growing on waste area hillside by walkout on backside of our house.
on: 2024-07-16 10:16:46
another wonderful native found in my very wet pastures this year, it has made friends with the Blue vervain.
on: 2024-07-27 09:22:15
I was delighted to find one of our garden boneset plants whorling in three leaves instead of the two I am so used to. I'm curious about the why/how of this adaptation...
on: 2024-07-27 09:29:06
Emily, mother nature does whatever she wants. ;-)