Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Boneset thrives in the margins of wetlands and woodland edges. This native perennial, common across Wisconsin, grows to about four feet tall and bears clusters of small, white, tubular flowers that bloom in late summer, arranged in flat-topped arrays at the tips of its stems. Its leaves grow in opposite pairs, their finely toothed edges and joined bases forming a green collar around the stem. Lower down, the leaves broaden—reaching up to eight inches long and two inches wide—catching light and moisture in the shaded understory. Though modest in appearance, boneset is a lifeline for late-season pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds gather at its nectar-rich blooms. Goldfinches and swamp sparrows feed on its seeds, while the foliage nourishes caterpillars of several moth species. It thrives not only in wetlands and woodland edges, but also in marshes, swales, and along streams, tolerating both sun and shade. With fibrous roots and rhizomes that allow it to form small colonies, boneset helps stabilize soil and anchor damp habitats. (SF)