Joe-pye Weed

Description:

This extremely tall perennial native is probably best known as "Joe-pye weed" with many cultivars available from nurseries, but I grew up knowing it as "Queen of the Meadow", and seeing it growing only in meadows and forest edges - usually covered in bees and butterflies. Honeybees in particular find it highly beneficial as a pollen/nectar source in honey production. Its blooms in summer are a smoky pink to mauve; and even before the flowers emerge, you can often identify it by the whorled leaf arrangement on tall stalks.

Habitat:

Distribution USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV Canada: QC Native Distribution: S. ME to IL, s. to FL & e. TX Native Habitat: Alluvial woods; meadows; bogs & marshes; stream banks

Notes:

Spotted in the Cohutta Wilderness Area