"Eutrochium purpureum, commonly called Joe Pye weed, is a tall Missouri native perennial that occurs in low moist ground, wooded slopes, wet meadows and thickets and stream margins throughout the State (Steyermark). It is an erect, clump-forming perennial which typically grows 4-7’ tall and features coarsely-serrated, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 12” long) in whorls of 3-4 on sturdy green stems with purplish leaf nodes. Tiny, vanilla-scented, dull pinkish-purple flowers in large, terminal, domed, compound inflorescences bloom in mid-summer to early fall. Each flower cluster typically has 5-7 florets. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies. Flowers give way to attractive seed heads which persist well into winter." (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Cultivation:

"Easily grown in average, medium moisture soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile, humusy soils which do not dry out. Tolerant of clay soils. Cut plants to the ground in late winter. Best propagated by stem cuttings. This species generally grows better in open woodland areas than E. maculatum which generally likes moister soils." (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Eupatorium Purpureum Botany by Dr. John Hilty

Aster family (Asteraceae)

Faunal Associations: 

The flower nectar attracts primarily long-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, and moths. Bee visitors include Bombus spp. (bumblebees), Melissodes spp. (miner bees), and Megachile spp. (leaf-cutting bees). Some bees also collect pollen. The caterpillars of various moths feed on leaves and other parts of Eutrochium spp. (Joe-Pye Weed species), including Carmenta bassiformis (Eupatorium Borer Moth), Emmelina monodactyla (Common Plume Moth), Perigea xanthioides (Red Groundling), Schinia trifasciata (Three-Lined Flower Moth), Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Ruby Tiger Moth), and Eupithecia miserulata (Common Pug).

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) feeding on Purple Joe Pye Weed.

1. "eupatorium purpureum o eupatorio" by M. Martin Vicente is licensed under CC BY 2.0
2. "eupatorium purpureum o eupatorio" by M. Martin Vicente is licensed under CC BY 2.0
3. "File:Der Wasserdost, lat. Eupatorium (Eupatorium Purpureum) 03.jpg" by Plenuska is licensed under CC BY 2.0