Hollow-stemmed JoePye Weed

Hollow-Stemmed JoePye Weed

Eutrochium fistulosum (Barratt) E.E. Lamont

(formerly Eupatorium fistulosum Barratt)

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

No Photos Yet

Eutrochium fistulosum (Barratt) E.E. Lamont., Hollow-Stemmed Joe-Pye Weed (formerly Eupatorium fistulosum Barratt.): (Bayer Code: EUPFI; US Code EUFI14))

  • U.S. native simple perennial with hollow, purple (or green with purple spots) generally hairless stems that can grow 2-7 feet tall; stem branching can be from base, but more in upper 1/2 to 1/3 of stem
  • Leaves are in whorls of 4-6 at nodes, lanceolate, with toothed margins
  • Head inflorescences are born in large panicles at tips of stems (panicles can be up to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide)
  • Individual flower heads are about 0.25 inch diameter, with 5-7 pink , dusty-pink to purplish disk flowers (no ray flowers)
  • Bracts below inflorescence are in multiple layers, oval, green at base to pink at tips; tips are round-pointed
  • Flowering time is from mid-summer to early fall
  • Prefers moist, fertile soils in meadows, pastures, prairies, along ditches, marshes, streambanks; is also widely-planted as a rain-garden, wetland prairie plant, or as an ornamental in landscapes, wildflower areas
  • May be toxic if overgrazed, but a favorite of butterflies
  • Similar species include:
    • Sweet Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) has mostly solid stems, but flowers are more lilac, pink or whitish, and flower heads have 4-6 disk flowers
    • Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum) has mostly solid stems, but flowers heads are more flattened, leaves a lighter green and flower heads have 8-20 disk flowers

Go to Midwest Weeds and Wildflowers Home Page