Medical Uses: Various members of this group have long been used to treat fevers caused by many illnesses from simple colds to typhus. The name may come from its use to treat what was known as breakbone fever. In addition to fevers leaf tea is often used as a diuretic and the leaves of E. perfoliatum were once considered useful in mending broken bones though this may stem from the doctrine of signatures . Once listed in both the U. S. Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary it has been removed from both and there is no scientific evidence that it is effective as a treatment. While many members of this family, Asteraceae, may be ingested with reasonable safety White Snakeroot, formerly considered Eupatorium rugosum and now Ageratina altissima var. Altissima, is poisonous!

Similar Species: There are several Bonesets, below are links to the ones currently described on this site.

Late-flowering Boneset, Eupatorium serotium
Hyssopleaf Thoroughwort, Eupatorium hyssopifolium

The Joe Pye Weeds are dealt with separately, having whorled leaves and usually pink flowers. See: Hollow-stemed Joe-Pye Weed, Eupatorium fistulosum.

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One of the best general guides to wildflowers of the North Eastern and North Central United States. Newcomb's key is an excellent, simple method for identifying plants. Newcomb has drawings for almost every plant mentioned that are excellent aids to identifying the species. Though only the more common plants are covered this is often the first book I pick up when trying to identify a wildflower.

Wildflo wers of Tennessee the Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians

This is perhaps the best of many field guides covering this region. Featuring 446 excellent color photographs (located with the text) and mentioning as similar to those illustrated are another 800 or so species for a total coverage of over 1,200 species. The start of each family section includes line drawings of some of the species showing important features. The text includes the usual description, bloom season, range, habitat and additionally includes information such as medical uses and lore and how the species was named. This is the official field guide of the Tennessee Native Plant Society.