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Eutrochium purpureum
Eutrochium purpureum (L.) E.E. Lamont
Purple Joepyeweed, Sweet-scented Joepyeweed, Sweet Joepyeweed
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Eupatorium purpureum
USDA Symbol: eupu21
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Sweet-scented joe-pye weed grows from 1-6 ft. Narrow, lance-shaped leaves are whorled along the erect stem. The large, domed flower head is composed of several branches bearing tiny, pale pinkish-lavender florets.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: AB , ON
Native Distribution: S. NH to PA & mts. to GA, w. to w. MN, s.e. NE & OK
Native Habitat: Moist prairies; wood edges; wooded slopes
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils
Benefit
Use Wildlife: An important source of honey, attracting pollinators by the score.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Sow seeds in the fall and plant thickly as germination is usually low. Propagation is also possible by "softwood" cuttings taken in late spring or by division. Divide the plants in fall as they go dormant, or in the spring just as shoots first appear.Seed Collection: The nutlets mature to shiny black 4-5 weeks after the flower has faded. Only a small percentage viable; these will be plump and swollen. To collect, either take the entire top of the plant or shake it into a paper bag. Seeds can be allowed to dry out before sowing and do not have to be perfectly cleaned. Store in a sealed refrigerated container.
Seed Treatment: This species requires or benefits from a three month period of cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Eutrochium purpureum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eutrochium purpureum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eutrochium purpureum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-27Research By: TWC Staff