Boneset, Common Boneset, American Boneset, Thoroughwort, Feverwort, Agueweed, Indian Sage

Eupatorium perfoliatum

yoo-puh-TOR-ee-um  per-foh-lee-AY-tum

Synonyms of Eupatorium perfoliatum (18) (Updated on 12-1-23 from Plants of the World Online): Cunigunda perfoliata (L.) Lunell, Eupatorium chapmanii Small, Eupatorium connatum Michx., Eupatorium cuneatum Engelm., Eupatorium perfoliatum var. colpophilum Fernald & Griscom, Eupatorium perfoliatum var. cuneatum (Engelm.) A.Gray, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. laciniatum Stebbins, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. purpureum Britton, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. trifolium Fassett, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. truncatum (Muhl. ex Willd.) Fassett, Eupatorium perfoliatum var. truncatum (Muhl. ex Willd.) A.Gray, Eupatorium polyneuron (F.J.Herm.) Wunderlin, Eupatorium salviifolium Sims, Eupatorium serotinum var. polyneuron F.J.Herm., Eupatorium truncatum Muhl. ex Willd., Uncasia cuneata (Engelm.) Greene, Uncasia perfoliata (L.) Greene, Uncasia truncata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Greene

Eupatorium perfoliatum L. is the accepted scientific name for this species of Eupatorium. The genus and species were named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second edition of the first volume of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-1-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 67 accepted species in the Eupatorium genus. It is a member of the plant family Asteraceae with 1,702 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO. The number of genera in this family fluctuates quite often.

The distribution map above of Eupatorium perfoliatum from Plants of the World Online shows where the species is native to North America. The map on the USDA Plants Database is the same.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

Eupatorium perfoliatum is a perennial wildflower that grows 2-4 feet tall. It prefers full to part sun areas in wet to moist soils with plenty of organic matter that retains moisture. It can be found throughout the entire eastern half of North America but is not as common as other members of the genus. Common names include Boneset, Common Boneset, American Boneset, Thoroughwort, Feverwort, Agueweed, Indian Sage, and probably others.

There are a lot of neat wildflowers on the farm and Eupatorium perfoliatum is one of them. I found a couple of small colonies growing in the southeast corner of the farm on the border between a swampy area and the pasture.

The VERY hairy stems are unbranched except for a few flowering stems that grow toward the top of the plants.

The leaves of Eupatorium perfoliatum are the most distinguishing feature of the species. The leaves grow in opposite pairs at right angles to the pair below (decussate), are lance-shaped (lanceolate) that taper to a point (acuminate), have round-toothed (crenate) to serrated (serrate) margins, are kind of wrinkled (rugose) because of their massive amount of veins, and have a rough texture because they are covered with fine hairs (pubescent). The most distinguishing feature is that the leaves are perfoliate, meaning they have no petioles (no leaf stems), and the base of the leaf kind of encircles the leaf nodes. It almost appears as if both leaves are one and the stem passes through it.

The lance-shaped leaves can grow to at least 2″ wide at the base and at least 8″ in length.

The inflorescence sits on top of the flowering stems and consists of flattish clusters of disc flowers.

There are NO ray flowers (florets, petals, or whatever you want to call them). The disc florets, 9-23 per head, have white to pinkish corollas, are five-lobed, and have five stamens. They have sort of a shaggy (villous) appearance.

The Missouri Plants website has been my number-one site for identifying wildflowers for many years. They have great descriptions and photos. Photos are available for use for non-commercial educational purposes with proper captioning. To view their page for this species click HERE.

Most of the Eupatorium perfoliatum grow in the southeast corner of the farm near a swampy area.

I really like this species and it will have you examining it once you find it.  I need more photos, of course…

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street) and other areas. The city limits is also across the street and the north and south sides of the farm. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers ( most have pages listed on the right side of the blog). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
IOWA PLANTS (GENUS/SPECIES)
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
FLORA FINDER
USDA FACT SHEET

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂

A FEW MORE PHOTOS…