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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Eupatorium perfoliatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cunigunda perfoliata, Eupatorium chapmanii, Eupatorium connatum, Eupatorium salviifolium, Eupatorium

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antispasmodic Cholagogue Diaphoretic Emetic Febrifuge Homeopathy Laxative Malaria
Purgative Stimulant Vasodilator

Thoroughwort is one of the most popular domestic medicines in North America[4, 213] where it is used in the treatment of influenza, colds, acute bronchitis, catarrh and skin diseases[238]. It has been shown to stimulate resistance to viral and bacterial infections, and reduces fevers by encouraging sweating[254]. The plant, however, should be used with some caution since large doses are laxative and emetic and the plant might contain potentially liver-harming pyrrolizidine alkaloids[222]. The leaves and flowering stems are antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emetic, febrifuge, laxative, purgative, stimulant, vasodilator[4, 61, 165, 238]. A hot infusion of the dried leaves and flowers is used as a very effective treatment to bring relief to symptoms of the common cold and other similar feverishness - it loosens phlegm and promotes its removal through coughing[213, 254, 268]. This herb is practically unequalled in its effectiveness against colds[268]. It is also used in the treatment of rheumatic illness, skin conditions and worms[254]. The leaves and flowering stems are harvested in the summer before the buds open, and are dried for later use[238]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant, harvested when it first comes into flower[232]. It is used in the treatment of illnesses such as flu and fever[232]. Was used by Native Americans to treat malaria [301].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade[200]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[187]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A polymorphic species[4].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[111]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Eupatorium cannabinum	Hemp Agrimony	Perennial	1.5	4-8		LMH	SN	MWe	0	3	1
Eupatorium capillifolium	Dogfennel	Perennial	3.0	3-10		LMH	SN	M	0	1	1
Eupatorium chinense		Perennial	1.8	6-9		LMH	SN	M	1	2	1
Eupatorium compositifolium	Yankeeweed	Perennial	0.0	0-0		LMH	SN	M	0	1	1
Eupatorium hyssopifolium	Hyssopleaf thoroughwort	Perennial	0.6	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	1	1
Eupatorium japonicum	Pei Lan	Perennial	2.0	6-9		LMH	SN	M	1	3
Eupatorium lindleyanum		Perennial	1.0	6-9		LMH	SN	M	0	2	1
Eupatorium maculatum	Joe Pye Weed, Spotted joe pye weed	Perennial	1.5	3-7	M	LMH	SN	M	0	2	1
Eupatorium purpureum	Gravel Root	Perennial	2.0	3-9	F	LMH	SN	M	1	3	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Eupatorium perfoliatum - L.