description
Boneset, a hardy perennial of the Asteraceae family, is a 1 to 1.5 m high
shrub. The erect, bluntly-edged stalk rises from the root stock. The stalk
is roughly haired, often red at the base, and branched in the upper part.
The undulant, softly-haired leaves are lanceolate and tapering, serrated
with notches, and characterized by a marked central vein. They grow 10 to 15
cm long and are opposed. The lower pairs are fused at the base, they give
the impression of being one large leaf with a stem growing up through the
middle.
The flower heads with white, bell-shaped tubular blossoms stand in
cymes at the ends of the stalks. They form small fruits with a bristly
pappus, which are distributed by the wind. It flowers from August to
October.
Boneset’s odor is weak, but its taste is extremely bitter.
common names & nomenclature
The Latin name Eupatorium derives from the Greek eupatória, which derives
from hepatoria, Latin for liver. The species name perfoliatum derives from
perfoliátus, for “grown through leaves” in regards to the way the stem
appears to perforate the leaves.
Also known as:
eupatorium, thoroughwort, wood boneset, indian sage, sweating plant, teasel, feverwort, crosswort, eupatorium, vegetable antimony, agueweed, common boneset
