Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
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
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
