A tall (5–7 ft) wildflower with dusty-pink flowerheads that act as butterfly magnets in late summer — among the most insect-rich nectar sources in any native garden.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Eutrochium maculatum, the spotted Joe Pye weed, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is widespread through much of the United States and Canada. It is the only species of the genus Eutrochium found west of the Great Plains.
Source: Wikipedia — Eutrochium maculatum Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Tall plant with whorled leaves and dense purple flower clusters atop stems.
Similar species. Other Liatris species. Some non-native ornamentals.
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Native prairie wildflower with bold purple flowers in late summer. Among the most important late-season pollinator plants.
§ Range
Northern and central US
§ Habitat
Wet meadows, stream banks, prairie potholes
§ Threats
Wet meadow loss, mowing during peak bloom, deer browsing.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the spotted joe-pye weed is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native Eutrochium in moist garden corners. Maintain wet meadow buffers. Skip mowing of native flowers in August.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Eutrochium maculatum
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Eutrochium maculatum
- iNaturalist · taxon 56237
- IUCN Red List — search for Eutrochium maculatum
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Eutrochium maculatum
§ Sources cited
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- USDA Plants Database
- iNaturalist
