Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Eupatorium perfoliatum
Source: Donna Bos

Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
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:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Eupatorium perfoliatum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Prairies
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Eupatorium perfoliatum

  • Carmenta pyralidiformis (Boneset Borer)
  • Haploa clymene (Clymene)
  • Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Ruby Tiger)
  • Schinia trifascia (Three lined flower)

Specialized Bees Supported by Eupatorium perfoliatum

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

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.