Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Spotted Joe-Pye weed plays an important ecological role in wetland and meadow ecosystems across much of North America. Blooming in late summer when many other nectar sources have faded, it becomes a magnet for pollinators—especially monarchs, swallowtails, skippers, and long-tongued bees. Its nectar-rich flowers support adult insects, while its foliage and stems host the caterpillars of moths like the Eupatorium borer and ruby tiger. The seeds are eaten by birds such as the swamp sparrow, and its dense growth offers shelter to small mammals and beneficial predatory insects. By stabilizing soil in moist areas and contributing to biodiversity, Spotted Joe-Pye weed helps maintain the health and resilience of native plant communities.
Spotted Joe-Pye weed is a native, perennial wildflower with branched flower stalks at the top of an unbranched stem. It grows three to six feet tall. The flowers come in flat-headed clusters and can be pink or purple. The main stem is purple or purple-spotted, stout and round, often covered with fine hairs. Whorls of four or five yellowish green leaves can be found along the central stem. Leaves are ovate, up to eight inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide. It likes sun or part shade and moist to wet soil. It grows in meadows and along roads and streams. (SF)