Facilitating the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast
Joe-pye weed
Eutrochium maculatum var. bruneri
Eutrochium
maculatum
var. bruneri
This member of the family Asteraceae (“sunflowers, asters”), has had numerous taxonomic revisions and was formerly known as Eupatorium maculatum ssp. Bruneri. This variety is also referred to by the common names “spotted” or “western” Joe-pye weed. Common in many areas of North America, it is only represented by var. bruneri in BC.
Height up to 2 m. Maculatum means “spotted” and refers to the stems which are often purple-spotted or completely purple. Stems bear narrow, pointed saw-toothed leaves, up to 20 cm long. Leaves occur in whorls of 3 or 4. Both the stems and lower surfaces of the leaves are covered in short curly hairs. The fluffy light pink inflorescence at the top of the stem is a rounded mass of hundreds of tiny flower heads. Each flower head is just over 1 cm long and surrounded at its base by 2 or 3 rows of tiny scale-like bracts (modified or specialized leaf around the flower). The flower head encloses up to 22 tiny disc flowers. When the flower head opens, hair-like stigmas (female reproductive structure) from the disc flowers can be seen protruding from the top of the head. Achenes (seed capsules) are 3-5 mm long containing a single seed. Achenes possess a tuft of hair-like bristles to allow for wind dispersal.
Download Species Fact Sheet in PDF
Status
Global Status:
G5T5
Provincial Status:
SU
RESOURCES
For further information see:
A source for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC. From here connect to all provincial and federal recovery plans (including the SARA Registry), COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), Identified Wildlife guidance and conservation requirements for specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern impacted by forestry activities) and links to E-Flora and E-Fauna (the Electronic Atlas of the Plants and Wildlife of British Columbia).
A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).
Environmental guidelines for urban and rural land development in BC.
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