Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway - Boneset

Boneset has tiny, white flowers that are arranged in fuzzy clusters atop the stems. This perennial plant's height usually ranges from 3-6 ft. Boneset is a hairy plant with dense, flat-topped clusters of multiple off-white flowers. Its leaves are paired and united basally, perforated by the erect stems. As the Latin species name suggests, the stem gives the appearance of growing through the leaf.

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Early herb doctors thought that this plant would be useful in setting bones because of its unusual arrangement of the stem and leaves. Its leaves were thus wrapped in bandages around splints. A tonic (boneset tea) has also been used to treat colds, coughs, acute bronchitis, and constipation. There have been signs that boneset will stimulate resistance to viral and bacterial infections by reducing fevers and encouraging sweating. However, this plant should be used cautiously as large doses are emetic and laxative. In addition to this, the plant might also contain potentially liver-harming pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

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• Plants for a Future Database
  http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Eupatorium+perfoliatum
• USDA PLANTS Database
  http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EUPE3
• Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers in Color

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