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Eupatorium capillifolium - (Lam.)Small.

Common Name Dogfennel
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 3-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Borders of woods, clearings, fields and roadsides[43]. Disturbed areas, mainly in sandy soils in Texas[274].
Range Eastern N. America - New Jersey to Vancouver, south to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Eupatorium capillifolium Dogfennel


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Eupatorium capillifolium Dogfennel
James H. Miller @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Miller, J.H. and K.V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press, Athens.

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late fall, Mid fall. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Eupatorium capillifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). 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

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Stings

The entire plant is applied externally as a remedy for the bites of reptiles and insects[61].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent  Strewing

The plant is used as a strewing herb and to discourage insects[61].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species but, judging by its habitat, it should be hardy in Britain. Other members of this genus succeed in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. An aggressive and weedy species[43]. Special Features: North American native, Invasive.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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: United States (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Bahamas, Cuba

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Eupatorium cannabinumHemp AgrimonyPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNMWe031
Eupatorium chinense Perennial1.8 6-9  LMHSNM121
Eupatorium compositifoliumYankeeweedPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM011
Eupatorium hyssopifoliumHyssopleaf thoroughwortPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM011
Eupatorium japonicumPei LanPerennial2.0 6-9  LMHSNM13 
Eupatorium lindleyanum Perennial1.0 6-9  LMHSNM021
Eupatorium maculatumJoe Pye Weed, Spotted joe pye weedPerennial1.5 3-7 MLMHSNM021
Eupatorium perfoliatumThoroughwort, Boneset, Common bonesetPerennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNM03 
Eupatorium purpureumGravel RootPerennial2.0 3-9 FLMHSNM132

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Lam.)Small.

Botanical References

43274

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Michael Adler   Thu Dec 15 2005

This plant has edible leaves, though not very palatable by itself. It has potential for use as a spice and I use it frequently for flavoring pickles. The same is true for E. compositifolium

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