Eupatorium perfoliatum 

'Common Boneset'

Asteraceae: a clump forming perennial to 1.2m. Found in floodplain forests, poorly drained areas of black soil prairies, and various kinds of wetlands, including marshes, bogs, fens, seeps, edges of rivers, and sand flats. The flowers are dense clusters of tiny white flower heads held above the foliage. The leaves are lanceolate with long narrow tips and serrate margins, that clasp the stems. Native to Eastern United States and Canada, widespread from Nova Scotia to Florida, west as far as Texas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Manitoba.

USES:

Eupatorium perfoliatum was used in the traditional medicine of Native Americans and extracts are now used in herbal medicine for fever and colds. The effects of Eupatorium perfoliatum have not been confirmed by clinical study. However, animal studies and in vitro experiments with plant extracts indicate possible anti-inflammatory effects and activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria.

Eupatorium perfoliatum is a great nectar plant for butterfly’s. In its native north America, it is a specific butterfly food and habitat plant. It provides nectar for butterflies in the adult life cycle stage in the White M Hairstreak and Bronze-Copper butterfly species.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds in spring. These seeds germinate in 3–4 weeks, if this fails, a cooling period of 2–4 weeks is recommended. Succeeds in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°C.

NOTES: I have struggled to germinate this seed, but after several attempts I finally succeeded with GA3 [Gibberellic acid]. After treatment with GA3 seeds germinated 2 weeks warm.

HARVESTED: 2020

 
APPROX. 200 SEEDS