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Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): Native Wetland Perennial for Late-Season Pollinators

Boneset plant

Boneset flowers

Boneset habit

Boneset foliage

Overview

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), also called thoroughwort, feverwort, or agueweed, is a robust native perennial of eastern North American wetlands. It grows 3-5 feet tall with distinctive perfoliate leaves (stem appears to pierce the leaf pairs) and flat-topped clusters of fuzzy white flowers in late summer to fall. A magnet for butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects.

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Genus: Eupatorium
Species: perfoliatum
Synonym: Eupatorium perfoliatum var. perfoliatum

Culture & Uses

Plant in full sun to part shade in moist to wet soil. Ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, naturalized areas. Historically used by Native Americans and early settlers for fevers, colds, and flu (hence "boneset" for breakbone fever). Contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids; internal use not recommended without expert guidance. Ornamental value in late-season borders.

Herbs: Salvia 'Eveline': Hybrid Sage with Pink Bracts and Blue Flowers; Sage 'Pinokkio' (Salvia 'Pinokkio'); Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans); Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo): Fast-Growing Shade and Timber Tree; Tricolor Sage (Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor'): Variegated Foliage for Herb Gardens and Containers; Common Sage 'Berggarten' (Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten'): Broad-Leaved Culinary Sage; Russian Sage 'Blue Spire' (Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire'): Airy Lavender-Blue Perennial; Purple Sage 'Purpurescens' (Salvia officinalis 'Purpurescens'): Purple-Leaved Culinary Sage for Ornamental Herb Gardens; Variegated Golden Sage (Salvia officinalis 'Icterina'): Ornamental Culinary Herb with Gold-Splashed Leaves; Golden Sage (Salvia officinalis 'Aurea'): Chartreuse Foliage for Herb and Ornamental Gardens

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