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Eupatorium perfoliatum - L.

Common Name Thoroughwort, Boneset, Common boneset
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Sensitization may occur. Increase sweating and diarrhoea have been reported. May cause dermatitis. Some herbalists suggest it should not be used with a high fever in excess of 102F. Also suggest to not use boneset for more than 6 months. As potentially toxic should not be used during breast feeding [301].
Habitats Wet woods, scrub, fens and damp grassland[187]. Sandy soils in Texas[274].
Range Eastern N. America - Quebec to Manitoba, south to Florida and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Eupatorium perfoliatum Thoroughwort, Boneset,  Common boneset


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Eupatorium perfoliatum Thoroughwort, Boneset,  Common boneset
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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

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.
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

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

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

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: 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 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 capillifoliumDogfennelPerennial3.0 3-10  LMHSNM011
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 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

L.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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Subject : Eupatorium perfoliatum  
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