Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

$5.00

The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, including bees, butterflies, and beetles (illinoiswildflowers.info). It is also the larval host to 32 species of caterpillars in our area (nwf.org) and is recommended as a monarch nectar source by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Furthermore, it is the host plant for the specialist Mining bees Andrena hirticincta and A. nubecula (Holm, 2017). Other mammals tend to avoid this plant, possibly because of the bitter foliage.

Photo credit: John Blair

The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, including bees, butterflies, and beetles (illinoiswildflowers.info). It is also the larval host to 32 species of caterpillars in our area (nwf.org) and is recommended as a monarch nectar source by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Furthermore, it is the host plant for the specialist Mining bees Andrena hirticincta and A. nubecula (Holm, 2017). Other mammals tend to avoid this plant, possibly because of the bitter foliage.

Photo credit: John Blair

Life Cycle: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial shade

Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-wet

Height: 4 feet

Plant Spacing: 1-2 feet

Bloom Time: July - September

Bloom Color: White

Advantages: Caterpillar Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant

Host Plant: 32 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)

Specialist Bee: Andrena hirticincta and A. nubecula (Holm, 2017)

Beneficials: Assassin Bugs, Tachinid flies, Syrphid flies

Complementary Plants: Swamp Milkweed, Ironweed, Blazingstar, Mountain Mint, Bee Balm, Lance-leaf Coreopsis

Resources: Holm, Heather. Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Pollination Press, 2017

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