Blog  August 29, 2011

Meet Joe-Pye Weed

Joe-Pye Weed is a nectar source for butterflies (Photo: Linda Read)

In late summer and early fall in provinces across Canada, you can find this valuable wetland plant with its large fragrant pink/purple flowerheads.

Growing up to an impressive 180 cm, Eupatorium maculatum helps stabilize streambanks and is an important nectar source for a wide range of butterflies such as tiger swallowtail, red admiral and pearl crescent. Its species name, maculatum, means "spotted" in reference to the purple-spotted stem.

Legend says that its namesake, Joe Pye, was an American First Nations healer who used the plant to cure fevers.

Learn more about Joe-Pye Weed and other native plants we love on the Native Plant Database.