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Sweet JoePye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum (L.) E.E. Lamont
(formerly Eupatorium purpureum L.)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
▲▼ mature flowering plants
▲ head inflorescence clusters
▲ stems and leaves, showing green stems with purple band at the nodes
Eutrochium purpureum
(L.) E.E. Lamont.,
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed (formerly
Eupatorium purpureum
L.):
(Bayer Code:
EUPPU; US Code EUPE21)
·
U.S.
native simple perennial with usually solid, green (may be purple
at nodes) generally hairless stems that can grow 2-7 feet tall; stem branching
mainly in upper part of stems as flowering commences
·
Leaves are in whorls of 4-5 at nodes, lanceolate, with toothed margins
·
Head inflorescences are born in panicles at tips of stems; stems in
inflorescence are covered with soft hairs
·
Individual flower heads are about 0.25 inch diameter, with 4-6 lilac to
dusty-pink to almost white disk flowers (no ray flowers); flowers may open a
lighter color, becoming more purple-pink as they mature
·
Bracts below inflorescence are in multiple layers, oval, greenish-white
to pink, hairy; tips are round-pointed
·
Flowering time is from mid-summer to early fall
·
Prefers moist, fertile soils in meadows, pastures,
open, streambanks
·
May be toxic if overgrazed, but a favorite of
butterflies
·
Similar species include:
o
Hollow-stemmed Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium
fistulosum) has hollow, usually hairless stems, and large,
open panicle inflorescences; flower heads have 5-7 disk flowers
o
Spotted Joe-Pye
Weed (Eutrochium
maculatum) has mostly solid stems, but flowers heads are
more flattened, leaves a lighter green and flower heads have 8-20 disk flowers
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