Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested. Boneset contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause serious liver damage when consumed. It should not be used as a home remedy or herbal tea, and ingestion by people, pets, or livestock should be avoided.
Plant Names
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Common Boneset
Eupatoire perfoliée
Synonyms
perfoliate thoroughwort
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Butterfly host
Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates salt conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Common Boneset is associated with moist meadows, wetlands, stream edges, and open woodlands. Its distinctive leaves appear to clasp the stem, giving rise to the name “boneset.” Clusters of small white flowers appear at the top of the plant from late summer into fall. You can divide established plants in spring if they become too large.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Boreal Plains
- Prairies
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Eupatorium perfoliatum
-
Carmenta pyralidiformis
Boneset Borer -
Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria
Blackberry looper - Arpenteuse des ronces -
Haploa clymene
Clymene -
Phragmatobia fuliginosa
Ruby Tiger - Écaille Cramoisie -
Schinia trifascia
Three lined flower
Specialized Bees Supported by Eupatorium perfoliatum
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Agastache nepetoides
Yellow Giant Hyssop
Agastache faux-népéta - Eutrochium maculatum
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eupatoire maculée - Lilium canadense
Canada Lily
Lis du Canada - Scirpus atrovirens
Dark-green Bulrush
Scirpe noirâtre - Verbena hastata
Blue Vervain
Verveine hastée
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Thalictrum (Non-Native Meadow Rue)
- Symphiotrichum (Non-Native Aster)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow by March
- Stratification duration: 30 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: September
- Harvesting indicator:
- Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
- Harvesting:
- Shake seed head in paper bag
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Toxic to mammals if ingested. Boneset contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause serious liver damage when consumed. It should not be used as a home remedy or herbal tea, and ingestion by people, pets, or livestock should be avoided.