Spotted JoePye Weed

Spotted JoePye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum (L.) E.E. Lamont
(formerly Eupatorium maculatum L.)

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

▲ ▼ mature flowering plants

▲ flower head inflorescences

▲ stems and leaves, showing whorled leaf arrangement

Eutrochium maculatum (L.) E.E. Lamont, (formerly Eupatorium maculatum L.), Spotted Joe-Pye-Weed: (Bayer Code: EUPML; US Code EUMA6)

U.S. native simple perennial with solid, purple (or green with purple spots) usually with short, soft hairs; 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 4-5 at nodes, lighter green, lanceolate, with toothed margins
Head inflorescences are born in rounded to almost flattened panicles at tips of stems
Individual flower heads are about 0.33 inch diameter, with 8-20 pink, dusty-pink to purplish disk flowers (no ray flowers)
Bracts below inflorescence are in multiple layers, oval, purplish-pink; 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:
- Hollow-stemmed Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum) has hollow, usually hairless stems, and large, open panicle inflorescences; flower heads have 5-7 disk flowers
- 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