Intro: Large, erect perennial of moist forests, bottomlands, marshes and ditches.

Stems: Stems stout, hollow, unbranched, purplish (sometimes green below) and with a white-waxy coating.

Leaves: Leaves in whorls of 3-7, petiolate, narrowly elliptic or lance-shaped, to 10 in. long, toothed.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small clusters within a large, domed terminal cluster; heads about 1/3 in. long, consisting of 4-7 dull pinkish-purple, tubular disk florets (no ray florets) with protruding styles. Several series of narrow, overlapping bracts surround the base of each head.

Fruits:

Comments: The mildly fragrant flowers are very attractive to butterflies.

Height: 5-8 ft.

plant sale text: Hollow-stem joe-pye-weed is a large and dramatic perennial that is sure to be a focal point in the garden. As this plant reaches maturity, it will become more and more robust, reaching heights of up to 8 feet and widths of more than 5 feet across. This plant works well in the back of a perennial border or in more naturalized areas. Joe-pye-weeds are some of the best native perennials for butterfly gardening. In late summer, the mauve-pink flower heads will attract many species with their abundant nectar. 2017 N.C. Wildflower of the Year.

bloom table text: Hollow-stem joe-pye-weed is a large and dramatic perennial that is sure to be a focal point in the garden. As this plant reaches maturity, it will become more and more robust, reaching heights of up to 8 feet and widths of more than 5 feet across. This plant works well in the back of a perennial border or in more naturalized areas. Joe-pye-weeds are some of the best native perennials for butterfly gardening. In late summer, the mauve-pink flower heads will attract many species with their abundant nectar. 2017 N.C. Wildflower of the Year.

description: Large, erect perennial of moist forests, bottomlands, marshes and ditches.

stems: Stems stout, hollow, unbranched, purplish (sometimes green below) and with a white-waxy coating.

leaves: Leaves in whorls of 3-7, petiolate, narrowly elliptic or lance-shaped, to 10 in. long, toothed.

inflorescence:

flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in small clusters within a large, domed terminal cluster; heads about 1/3 in. long, consisting of 4-7 dull pinkish-purple, tubular disk florets (no ray florets) with protruding styles. Several series of narrow, overlapping bracts surround the base of each head.

fruits:

comments: The mildly fragrant flowers are very attractive to butterflies.

cultural notes:

germination code: 2

native range: eastern United States