Common Boneset

Notes:

Eupatorium perfoliatum, commonly called boneset, is a large, hairy, clump-forming, native perennial which typically occurs in wet soils in low woods, thickets, stream banks, meadows and prairies. Flat-topped clusters (compound corymbs) of small, fluffy, white flowers appear above the foliage in late summer to fall. Perfoliate foliage is quite distinctive: the bases of the pairs of wrinkled, opposite, lance-shaped, medium green leaves unite to surround the hairy stems (perfoliatum meaning through the foliage). Historically, boneset was commonly included in medical herb gardens and used as a folk medicine for treatment of flus, fevers, colds and a variety of other maladies. Though some authorities claim the name boneset refers to a former use of the plant to aid the healing process for broken bones, others claim that the name is in reference to the plant's use as a diaphoretic in the treatment of an 18th century influenza called break bone fever. All parts of the plant are quite toxic and bitter. Also commonly called thoroughwort. Genus name comes from the Greek name of these herbaceous and shrubby plants, commemorating Mithridates VI Eupator (132-63 B.C.), King of Pontus, enemy of Rome in Asia Minor. Specific epithet means perfoliate, having leaf bases that encircle the node, so that the stem apparently passes through it.