Eupatorium capillifolium (Lamarck) Small. Common name: Common Dog-fennel, Yankeeweed, Cypressweed, Horsetail. Phenology: Sep-Nov. Habitat: Disturbed soils, old fields, clearcuts. This species, like E. compositifolium, is an excellent indicator of soil disturbance. Distribution: CT, PA, KY, MO, and OK south to s. FL and TX; Bahamas; Cuba.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Bah, C, F, Fl7, FNA21, G, GW2, Il, K4, NcTx, NY, S, SE1, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, WV; = Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small var. capillifolium — RAB; = n/a — Pa; Artemisia capillifolia Lamarck. Basionym: Artemisia capillifolia Lam. 1783
Links to other floras: = Eupatorium capillifolium - FNA21
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Robust and weedy, erect perennial found in disturbed soils of old fields and clearcuts in a range of moist to dry conditions.
Stems: Stems 1-several from a somewhat woody crown, stout, branched above, reddish and hairy, the lower stem often with dead, brown leaves.
Leaves: Leaves opposite or alternate, crowded, 1-4 in. long, pinnately divided into thread-like segments, bright green, dotted with glands and emitting a pungent odor similar to fennel when crushed.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in multiple small clusters along drooping branches of the pyramind-shaped top of the plant; heads tiny, consisting of 3-5 minute,creamy white or purplish, tubular disk florets.
Fruits:
Comments: The similar E. compositifolium is mostly restricted to the Coastal Plain; it has hairy, grayish-green divided leaves with slightly broader segments, branches that are ascending to spreading, and white composite flowers. Flowers of both species are mildly fragrant.
Height: 1 1/2-6 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Robust and weedy, erect perennial found in disturbed soils of old fields and clearcuts in a range of moist to dry conditions.
stems: Stems 1-several from a somewhat woody crown, stout, branched above, reddish and hairy, the lower stem often with dead, brown leaves.
leaves: Leaves opposite or alternate, crowded, 1-4 in. long, pinnately divided into thread-like segments, bright green, dotted with glands and emitting a pungent odor similar to fennel when crushed.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in multiple small clusters along drooping branches of the pyramind-shaped top of the plant; heads tiny, consisting of 3-5 minute,creamy white or purplish, tubular disk florets.
fruits:
comments: The similar E. compositifolium is mostly restricted to the Coastal Plain; it has hairy, grayish-green divided leaves with slightly broader segments, branches that are ascending to spreading, and white composite flowers. Flowers of both species are mildly fragrant.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States
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