Eupatorium leucolepis

white-bract thoroughwort, justiceweed, justice-weed
Family

Asteraceae

Leaf Arrangement

opposite

Leaf Attachment

petiolate, sessile

Leaf Margin

entire, serrate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear, oblong, lanceolate, oblanceolate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

white

Flower Month

June - October

Height (meters)

0.4 - 1.6

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Warm season


Wetland Class

FACW

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

8

Field Characters

Similar to E. hyssopifolium which also has narrow leaves. Eupatorium hyssopifolium is easily distinguished by the presence of reduced leafy branches arising from its leaf axils.

Cultural Information

The seeds of most species of Eupatorium benefit from cold/dry stratification (Steffen 1997).

Animal Use

The seeds of several Eupatoriums are eaten by birds.

Natural History

The species in this genus had many medicinal uses by early pioneers. Their leaves were used as a poultice under splints to heal broken bones, which explains the origin of its common name, "boneset."

Habitat

Savannas, pine barrens, sandy or boggy woods, wet meadows, margins of ponds, especially sandy soil.