Eupatorium perfoliatum

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Eupatorium perfoliatum
Conservation status

Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Eupatorium
Species: E. perfoliatum
Binomial name
Eupatorium perfoliatum
L.

Eupatorium perfoliatum or (Common) Boneset is a common perennial plant native to the Eastern United States and Canada, with a range from Nova Scotia to Florida, as well as from Louisiana and Texas through North Dakota.[2] It is also called "agueweed", "feverwort" or "sweating-plant". It was introduced to American colonists by Indians who used the plant for breaking fevers by means of heavy sweating. It is nearly always found in low, wet areas and is often found near Phalaris arundinacea (Reed canary grass).

Contents

[edit] Description

E. perfoliatum can be recognized from its perfoliate leaves

The Eupatorium perfoliatum plant grows about 1m tall, with leaves that clasp the stems and dense clusters of white heads held above the foliage.

The leaves growing together around the stem lead to a past superstition that wrapping the leaves in bandages around splints would help mend broken bones.[3] Boneset also had other medical uses,[3] and was a very common remedy in the United States in the 19th century.[4] The common name boneset apparently derives from the plant's historical use in treating dengue fever (which is also known as breakbone).[5]

E. perfoliatum can form hybrids with other species of the genus Eupatorium, for example Eupatorium serotinum.[2]

[edit] Medicinal uses

Eupatorium perfoliatum extracts are used in Europe as an immunostimulating agent for the treatment of fever and colds. These effects have not been confirmed by in vitro studies, but both animal studies and in vitro experiments with plant extracts indicate anti-inflammatory effects and antiplasmodial effects against Plasmodium falciparum, supporting the traditional use of this plant by indigenous peoples of North America.[6]

[edit] Butterflies

Eupatorium perfoliatum is a specific Butterfly food and habitat plant.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Eupatorium perfoliatum". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Eupatorium+perfoliatum. Retrieved 2010-09-12. 
  2. ^ a b "Eupatorium perfoliatum". Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242416531. 
  3. ^ a b Audubon Society Field Guide To Wild Flowers - Eastern Region - 1979
  4. ^ Mrs. M. Grieve (1931). "Boneset". A Modern Herbal. http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/bonese65.html. 
  5. ^ George Diggs, Barney Lipscomb, Robert O'Kennon (Author), Barney Lipscomb (Editor), Linny Heagy (1999). Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. ISBN 978-1889878010. http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm. 
  6. ^ Hensel, Andreas; Maas, Mareike; Sendker, Jandirk; Lechtenberg, Matthias; Petereit, Frank; Deters, Alexandra; Schmidt, Thomas & Stark, Timo (2011). "Eupatorium perfoliatum L.: Phytochemistry, traditional use and current applications". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 138 (3): 641–651. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.10.002. 

[edit] External links

Media related to Eupatorium perfoliatum at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Eupatorium perfoliatum at Wikispecies

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