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white thoroughwort

Habit Perennials, 40–100+ cm. Annuals, biennials, perennials, subshrubs, shrubs, or vines [trees].
Stems

(from short caudices or stout rhizomes) single, sparsely branched distally, pubescent throughout.

Leaves

usually opposite (distal sometimes alternate);

sessile;

blades ± 3-nerved or pinnately nerved, elliptic to oblanceolate, 30–120 × 10–40 mm (lengths mostly 3–4 times widths), bases narrowly cuneate (sometimes oblique), margins subentire, serrate, or serrulate, apices rounded to acute, faces setulose (denser on midribs and veinlets) to glabrate, usually gland-dotted.

usually cauline, sometimes basal or basal and cauline; usually opposite, sometimes whorled or alternate; usually petiolate, sometimes sessile;

blade margins entire, toothed, lobed, or dissected.

Receptacles

usually flat to convex, sometimes spheric or conic, usually epaleate, rarely paleate (paleae readily falling).

Florets

(4–)5;

corollas 4–4.5 mm.

Ray florets

0.

Disc florets

bisexual, fertile;

corollas white, ochroleucous, or pink to purplish, not yellow, not 2-lipped (sometimes ± zygomorphic), lobes (4–)5, usually ± deltate to lance-ovate, sometimes lanceolate to lance-linear;

anther bases obtuse, rounded, or truncate, not tailed, apical appendages usually ovate to lanceolate, sometimes 0;

styles abaxially papillate to hirsutulous (usually distally, sometimes at bases), branches ± linear, adaxially stigmatic in 2 lines from bases to appendages, appendages usually terete to clavate (lengths often 2–5+ times lengths of stigmatic lines), usually papillate.

Phyllaries

9–15 in 2–4 series, linear, 1.5–9 × 0.6–1 mm, apices acuminate to attenuate, sometimes mucronate, abaxial faces pubescent throughout, gland-dotted.

usually persistent (readily falling), usually in 2–8+ series, distinct, and unequal, sometimes in 1–2 series, distinct, and subequal to equal, usually herbaceous to chartaceous, margins and/or apices sometimes scarious (abaxial faces often striate-nerved).

Calyculi

0.

Heads

in corymbiform arrays.

homogamous (usually discoid [radiant]), usually in corymbiform, paniculiform, racemiform, or spiciform arrays, sometimes borne singly or in glomerules.

Cypselae

2.5–3.5 mm;

pappi of 40–50 bristles 3.5–4.5 mm.

usually ± monomorphic within heads, usually columnar to fusiform, sometimes prismatic or compressed to flattened, rarely, if ever, beaked, bodies often 10-ribbed or (4–)5-angled, smooth or papillate to rugose between ribs or angles (glabrous or hairy);

pappi (rarely 0) usually persistent, usually of fine to coarse, barbellulate to plumose bristles, sometimes of scales (scales often aristate) or awns, sometimes of bristles and scales.

Eupatorium album

Asteraceae tribe Eupatorieae

Distribution
from FNA
AL; CT; DC; DE; FL; GA; KY; LA; MD; MS; NC; NJ; NY; OH; PA; SC; TN; VA; WV
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Mostly subtropics; tropics; and warm-temperate New World; also in Old World
Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

Eupatorium album is represented by widespread diploid populations and by polyploid, apomictic populations, segregated as varieties, that may have arisen by hybridization with other species. Molecular data suggest that var. vaseyi arose via hybridization between var. album and E. sessilifolium. They also suggest that E. album var. subvenosum arose from hybridization between E. album var. album and E. serotinum.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Genera 170, species 2400 (27 genera, 159 species in the flora).

In a survey of Compositae, G. Bentham (1873) noted 35 genera and 750 or so species for Eupatorieae; he treated more than 50% of those species as belonging within one genus, Eupatorium. The current view of circumscriptions of most genera within Eupatorieae has stemmed largely from the work of H. Robinson, which was summarized by R. M. King and Robinson (1987), who reported 45 species for Eupatorium (i.e., ca. 2 % of the total species in the tribe).

Authors of molecular studies have repeatedly found Eupatorieae to be a coherent clade “nested” within Heliantheae (broad sense) (e.g., R. K. Jansen et al. 1990). Some of those authors have suggested inclusion of Eupatorieae within Heliantheae in the broad sense as a subtribe; others have suggested break-up of Heliantheae into a dozen or so tribes (e.g., J. L. Panero and V. A. Funk 2002).

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Key
1. Leaf blades: margins coarsely serrate, apices obtuse to rounded, faces pubescent
var. album
1. Leaf blades: margins subentire, serrulate, or serrate, apices acute, faces pubescent to glabrate
→ 2
2. Leaf blades 3-nerved from bases, 40–70 × 10–20 mm, margins subentire to serrulate
var. subvenosum
2. Leaf blades 3-nerved distal to bases, 50–110 × 20–40 mm, margins evenly serrate
var. vaseyi
1. Involucres narrowly cylindric, (1–)2–3 mm diam.; phyllaries 4 or 5(–6) in ± 1–2 series; florets 4 or 5(–6)
→ 2
1. Involucres campanulate, cylindric, ellipsoid, hemispheric, or obconic, (2–)3–7(–25) mm diam.; phyllaries (5–)8–45(–65+) in (1–)2–8+ series; florets (3–)10–125(–200+).
→ 3
2. Subshrubs or shrubs; phyllaries 5(–6); florets 5(–6)
Stevia
2. Vines; phyllaries 4; florets 4
Mikania
3. Cypselae 8–10-ribbed
→ 4
3. Cypselae (3–)4–5(–8)-ribbed
→ 9
4. Pappi of 0–5+, muticous, erose, lacerate, or lanceolate to subulate scales (1–4 mm) plus [5–]9–12+, aristate scales (10–15 mm)
Carphochaete
4. Pappi of 10–100+ bristles
→ 5
5. Leaves basal or basal and cauline (cauline mostly sessile)
→ 6
5. Leaves mostly cauline (at flowering; mostly petiolate, sometimes sessile)
→ 7
6. Heads usually in spiciform or racemiform, rarely corymbiform or thyrsiform, arrays; receptacles epaleate; pappi of 12–40 coarsely barbellate to plumose bristles
Liatris
6. Heads in corymbiform to paniculiform arrays; receptacles sometimes (at least partially) paleate; pappi of 35–40 barbellulate to barbellate (subequal) bristles
Carphephorus
7. Leaves all or mostly alternate (at flowering)
Garberia
7. Leaves all or mostly opposite
→ 8
8. Leaf blades deltate, lance-elliptic, lance-linear, lanceolate, lance-ovate, lance-rhombic, linear, oblong, obovate, ovate, rhombic-ovate, spatulate, or suborbiculate, margins crenate, dentate, entire, laciniate-dentate, lobed, or serrate; style bases enlarged, hairy
Brickellia
8. Leaf blades linear (distal sometimes scalelike), margins entire; style bases not enlarged, glabrous
Asanthus
9. Pappi usually 0 or of 2–6(–12), muticous or aristate to subulate scales plus 0–6(–12), setiform scales or bristles, rarely coroniform (Ageratum) or of 1–5 ± glandular setae (Hartwrightia)
→ 10
9. Pappi of (5–)10–80+ barbellulate, barbellate, or plumose bristles or setiform scales
→ 18
10. Pappi usually 0, rarely 1–5 ± glandular setae (Hartwrightia)
→ 11
10. Pappi usually of 2–6(–12) muticous or aristate to subulate scales plus 0–6(–12),setiform scales or bristles, rarely coroniform (Ageratum)
→ 14
11. Leaves basal and cauline, mostly alternate; cypselae obpyramidal (gland-dotted)
Hartwrightia
11. Leaves cauline, all or mostly opposite; cypselae prismatic (not gland-dotted)
→ 12
12. Heads in dense to open, cymiform or corymbiform arrays; phyllaries 30–40; style branches ± linear to clavate (distally dilated)
Ageratum
12. Heads in tight, corymbiform to subcapitate arrays or borne singly; phyllaries 10–30; style branches ± filiform or linear-filiform (little, if at all, distally dilated)
→ 13
13. Leaves sessile; phyllaries not notably nerved; receptacles epaleate; stylebases not enlarged
Shinnersia
13. Leaves petiolate or sessile; phyllaries 2- or 3-nerved; receptacles paleate(paleae similar to inner phyllaries); style bases enlarged
Isocarpha
14. Phyllaries unequal; receptacles flat to convex (not warty)
→ 15
14. Phyllaries ± equal; receptacles convex to conic or hemispheric (sometimes warty)
→ 16
15. Leaves mostly sessile (or nearly so), blades linear; cypselae ± fusiform
Malperia
15. Leaves petiolate, blades ovate, deltate, or rhombic to lanceolate; cypselae prismatic
Pleurocoronis
16. Leaves whorled (4 or 6 per node), blades linear; heads borne singly
Sclerolepis
16. Leaves mostly opposite (distal sometimes alternate), blades elliptic, lanceolate, or oblong; heads usually in cymiform to corymbiform arrays, sometimes borne singly
→ 17
17. Leaves petiolate; involucres 3–6 mm diam.; phyllaries usually 2-nerved; pappi usually of 5–6 aristate scales, rarely coroniform
Ageratum
17. Leaves sessile; involucres 3–4(–5) mm diam.; phyllaries obscurely 3–4-nerved; pappi of 2–6 setiform scales
Trichocoronis
18. Involucres cylindric (3–4+ mm diam); pappus bristles plumose (basally coherent or connate, falling together or in groups)
Carminatia
18. Involucres usually obconic to hemispheric, sometimes campanulate, cylindric, or ellipsoid (2–7 mm diam.); pappus bristles smooth to barbellulate or barbellate (not plumose)
→ 19
19. Phyllaries ± equal
→ 20
19. Phyllaries unequal (outer shorter)
→ 23
20. Receptacles conic
Conoclinium
20. Receptacles flat or convex
→ 21
21. Phyllaries 2- or 3-nerved, or not notably nerved, or pinnately nerved; style bases usually puberulent (glabrous in Eupatorium capillifolium); cypselae usually gland-dotted
Eupatorium
21. Phyllaries 3-nerved, or 0- or 2-nerved; style bases glabrous; cypselae sometimes gland-dotted
→ 22
22. Involucres 2–3 mm diam.; phyllaries 7–16 in 1–2 series; florets 3–13
Koanophyllon
22. Involucres 3–6 mm diam.; phyllaries ca. 30 in 2–3 series; florets 10–60
Ageratina
23. Style bases usually puberulent (glabrous in Eupatorium capillifolium); cypselae usually glabrous and gland-dotted, sometimes scabrellous on ribs
→ 24
23. Style bases usually glabrous (hirsute in Flyriella); cypselae glabrous or hirsute, hirtellous, hispidulous, hispidulo-strigose, puberulent, or scabrellous (sometimes gland-dotted)
→ 25
24. Leaves mostly opposite (sometimes whorled, distal sometimes alternate)
Eupatorium
24. Leaves mostly whorled (3–7 per node), rarely opposite
Eutrochium
25. Annuals or perennials; involucres 2–5+ mm diam.; florets 10–30
→ 26
25. Perennials, subshrubs, or shrubs; involucres (2–)4–7 mm diam.; florets (3–)25–50
→ 27
26. Perennials, 20–60 cm (viscid); corollas white to ochroleucous, throats ± cylindric (± contracted distally, lengths 4–6 times diams.)
Flyriella
26. Annuals or perennials, 30–120+ cm (not viscid, stems usually puberulent, hairs curled); corollas bluish, pinkish, purplish, or white, throats funnelform (not contracted distally, lengths 2.5–4 times diams.)
Fleischmannia
27. Phyllaries usually readily falling, 18–65+ in 4–6+ series, 3–5-nerved; cypselae (3–)5-ribbed, scabrellous, usually gland-dotted
Chromolaena
27. Phyllaries usually persistent, 7–35 in (1–)2–4 series, 2- or 4-nerved, 3-nerved, or obscurely nerved; cypselae 5(–7)-ribbed, hispidulous, hispidulo-strigose, puberulent, or sparsely scabrellous (sometimes gland-dotted)
→ 28
28. Phyllaries 2- or 4-nerved; corollas white to yellowish white; pappi readily falling or fragile
Brickelliastrum
28. Phyllaries 3-nerved or obscurely nerved; corollas usually blue, lavender, or pinkish, sometimes white; pappi persistent
→ 29
29. Involucres 5–7 mm diam.; phyllaries 30–35; florets 30–50
Tamaulipa
29. Involucres 2–3 mm diam.; phyllaries 7–16; florets 3–13
Koanophyllon
Source FNA vol. 21, p. 465. FNA vol. 21, p. 459.
Parent taxa Asteraceae > tribe Eupatorieae > Eupatorium Asteraceae
Sibling taxa
E. altissimum, E. anomalum, E. cannabinum, E. capillifolium, E. compositifolium, E. godfreyanum, E. hyssopifolium, E. lancifolium, E. leptophyllum, E. leucolepis, E. linearifolium, E. mikanioides, E. mohrii, E. perfoliatum, E. petaloideum, E. pilosum, E. resinosum, E. rotundifolium, E. semiserratum, E. serotinum, E. sessilifolium, E. ×cordigerum, E. ×pinnatifidum
Subordinate taxa
E. album var. album, E. album var. subvenosum, E. album var. vaseyi
Ageratina, Ageratum, Asanthus, Brickellia, Brickelliastrum, Carminatia, Carphephorus, Carphochaete, Chromolaena, Conoclinium, Eupatorium, Eutrochium, Fleischmannia, Flyriella, Garberia, Hartwrightia, Isocarpha, Koanophyllon, Liatris, Malperia, Mikania, Pleurocoronis, Sclerolepis, Shinnersia, Stevia, Tamaulipa, Trichocoronis
Name authority Linnaeus: Mant. Pl., 111. (1767): Syst. Nat. ed. 12, 2: 536. (1767) Cassini: J. Phys. Chim. Hist. Nat. Arts 88: 202. (1819)
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