Tall Boneset (Eupatorium altissimum)

 

Tall Boneset (Eupatorium altissimum)    

Tall boneset is a perennial plant that typically grows two to six feet tall, forming upright clumps that broaden slowly but usually stay within one to two feet across. Its small, star-shaped flowers are about 1/8 inch across, dull white, and form large, flat-topped clusters that can reach up to eight inches wide. The leaves are lanceolate and opposite, generally two to six inches long and about an inch wide. They may have shallow teeth along the margins and are often covered with fine hairs, giving them a slightly rough texture. Tall boneset thrives in dry upland prairies, open woods, thickets, clearings, and fields throughout eastern and central North America. It prefers dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soils and is frequently found in disturbed areas, where it can form loose colonies over time.

Sources:

Flora of North America – Eupatorium altissimum

Wisconsin State Herbarium – Eupatorium altissimum

USDA Plants Database – Eupatorium altissimum

Illinois Wildflowers – Tall Boneset

Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses – Tall Boneset

(SF)