Practical
Plants

Eupatorium maculatum

Joe Pye Weed

a perennial member of the Eupatorium genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea made from the whole herb is diuretic[4]. It is used in the treatment of kidney complaints, painful urination, rheumatism etc[9][4]. The leaves and stems are harvested in the summer before the flower buds open, and are dried for later use[6]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of fevers, colds, kidney and liver complaints, rheumatism etc[4][7]. It is said to have a tonic effect upon pregnant women[7] and is also said to induce sweating[4]. Externally, a decoction of the roots is used as a wash on rheumatic joints[7]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[6].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Kidney

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stems have been used as straws[7].

Product or use
Straw

Environment

Range
South-eastern and Central N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia to Washington and New York.
Habitat
Damp thickets, meadows, shores etc, usually on rich or calcareous soils from Quebec and southwards[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[1]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil that is well-drained but moisture retentive in sun or part shade[3]. This species is hardy to about -25°c[2]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5].

References

  1. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  2. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  4. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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