Eupatorium semiserratum DC.

Thoroughwort

Eupatorium_semiserratum_plant.jpg
STATS

Native
CC = 8
CW = -3
MOC = 8

© SRTurner

Family - Asteraceae/Eupatorieae

Habit - Perennial forb, fibrous rooted and usually rhizomatous.

Stem - Erect, to 1.2 m, moderatly to densely short-hairy, not hollow.

Eupatorium_semiserratum_stem2.jpg Stem and node.

© SRTurner

Eupatorium_semiserratum_stem.jpg Stem and nodes.

© SRTurner

Leaves - Mostly opposite, simple, sessile or sometimes with a poorly differentiated petiole, often twisted to appear erect. Blades to 8 cm, oblanceolate to elliptic, tapered at base, blunt at tip, margins irregularly toothed, surfaces short-hairy and gland dotted. Lateral veins branching from midvein 2-12 mm from base of leaf. Axillary fascicles sometimes present at some nodes.

Eupatorium_semiserratum_leaves.jpg Stem and leaves.

Small bundles (fascicles) of reduced leaves at nodes are common in this species.

© SRTurner

Eupatorium_semiserratum_leaf1.jpg Leaf adaxial.

© SRTurner

Eupatorium_semiserratum_leaf1a.jpg Leaf adaxial surface.

© SRTurner

Eupatorium_semiserratum_leaf2.jpg Leaf abaxial.

© SRTurner

Eupatorium_semiserratum_leaf2a.jpg Leaf abaxial surface.

© SRTurner

Eupatorium_semiserratum_leaf.jpg Leaf abaxial.

© SRTurner

Inflorescence - Terminal panicles, +/- flat-topped.

Eupatorium_semiserratum_inflorescence.jpg Inflorescence.

© SRTurner

Involucres - Narrowly cup-shaped, 2.5-4.0 mm. Bracts densely short-hairy, green.

Eupatorium_semiserratum_involucres.jpg Involucres.

© SRTurner

Florets - Disk florets 5 per head. Corollas 2.5-3.5 mm long, white, sometimes glandular.

Eupatorium_semiserratum_florets.jpg Florets.

© SRTurner

Flowering - August - October.

Habitat - Forest margins, swamps, old fields.

Origin - Native to the U.S.

Lookalikes - E. hyssopifolium and related hybrids.

Other info. - Despite its weedy appearance, this plant is uncommon in Missouri and represents an unusual and notable find. Its range in the state is restricted to the bootheel region. Beyond Missouri it occurs in only a few southeastern states. The plant is recognized by its inflorescences of small, dirty white heads, which contain 5 florets each. The leaves are generally elliptic and irregularly toothed, and are opposite but not whorled at nodes.

Photographs taken at Otter Slough Conservation Area, Stoddard County, MO, 8-13-2015, 8-15-2021, and 8-19-2024 (SRTurner).