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hyssop-leaf boneset, hyssop-leaf thoroughwort

smallflower eupatorium, smallflower thoroughwort

Habit Perennials, 50–100+ cm. Perennials, 40–100+ cm.
Stems

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

(from short rhizomes) single, densely branched distally, puberulent throughout.

Leaves

usually opposite or whorled (distal sometimes alternate, spreading or horizontal); simple, sessile;

blades 3-nerved from bases (laterals sometimes weak), lance-linear, lance-oblong, or linear, 20–60 × 2–15 mm (lengths mostly 6–40 times widths), bases cuneate, margins entire, laciniate-serrate, or serrate, apices acute, faces scabrous (at least abaxial).

usually opposite (distal sometimes alternate, lateral buds dormant or producing 1 pair of leaves); simple, sessile or subsessile;

blades ± 3-nerved distal to bases, elliptic to lance-elliptic, (30–)50–70 × 5–25 mm (lengths mostly 2–5 times widths), bases narrowly cuneate, margins usually serrate, apices acute, faces puberulent or villous, densely gland-dotted.

Florets

5;

corollas 3–3.5 mm.

5;

corollas 2.5–3 mm.

Phyllaries

8–10 in 2–3 series, elliptic to oblong, 1.5–5 × 1–1.5 mm, apices obtuse to acute (not mucronate), abaxial faces pubescent throughout (more densely distally).

7–10 in 2–3 series, elliptic, 1–3 × 0.5–1 mm, apices rounded to acute (not mucronate), abaxial faces puberulent, gland-dotted.

Heads

in corymbiform arrays.

in corymbiform arrays.

Cypselae

2–3 mm;

pappi of 20–30 bristles 3.5–4 mm.

1.5–2 mm;

pappi of 30–40 bristles 2.5–3 mm.

2n

= 20.

Eupatorium hyssopifolium

Eupatorium semiserratum

Phenology Flowering Aug–Sep.
Habitat Moist to boggy, sandy, peaty soils, margins of pine flatwoods, gum swamps, bayheads, disturbed sites, roadsides
Elevation 10–100+ m (0–300+ ft)
Distribution
from FNA
AL; AR; CT; DE; FL; GA; IL; KY; LA; MA; MD; MO; MS; NC; NJ; NY; OH; PA; RI; SC; TN; TX; VA; WI; WV
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
AL; AR; FL; GA; LA; MS; NC; SC; TN
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Eupatorium hyssopifolium includes both diploid and polyploid cytotypes and presents a complex situation taxonomically. The diploids are placed here in var. hyssopifolium, which also includes polyploids and is characterized by relatively narrow leaves. Variety laciniatum has broader leaves and molecular data suggest that it arose through hybridization between var. hyssopifolium and E. serotinum; the name E. torreyanum has been applied to plants of similar morphology, but these are hybrid derivatives of E. serotinum and E. mohrii. It has also been suggested that var. hyssopifolium has hybridized with E. album var. album to form E. saltuense, and with diploids of E. linearifolium to form polyploid populations included here under E. linearifolium. Eupatorium hyssopifolium is characterized by a tendency for the leaves to be whorled, in 3s and 4s, and for axillary buds to produce leaves without expansion of shoots; the combination of whorled leaves and suppressed axillary shoots gives the nodes a somewhat tufted or verticillate appearance.

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

Eupatorium semiserratum has been included within E. glaucescens (E. cuneifolium); it is distinguished by its consistently smaller heads and stems that branch only within the capitulescences. It differs from the similar and sometimes sympatric E. lancifolium by its smaller heads, leaves 3-nerved distal to bases (rather than at bases), as well as preference for wetter habitats. It has been proposed that E. rotundifolium var. scabridum (E. pubescens) represents hybrids between E. semiserratum and E. rotundifolium; it also apparently hybridizes with E. hyssopifolium.

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

Key
1. Leaves mostly linear, 2–5 mm wide, margins usually entire or obscurely serrulate
var. hyssopifolium
1. Leaves mostly lance-linear to lanceolate, 5–15 mm wide, margins usually laciniately toothed
var. laciniatum
Source FNA vol. 21, p. 468. FNA vol. 21, p. 473.
Parent taxa Asteraceae > tribe Eupatorieae > Eupatorium Asteraceae > tribe Eupatorieae > Eupatorium
Sibling taxa
E. album, E. altissimum, E. anomalum, E. cannabinum, E. capillifolium, E. compositifolium, E. godfreyanum, 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
E. album, 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. serotinum, E. sessilifolium, E. ×cordigerum, E. ×pinnatifidum
Subordinate taxa
E. hyssopifolium var. hyssopifolium, E. hyssopifolium var. laciniatum
Synonyms E. cuneifolium var. semiserratum
Name authority Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 2: 836. (1753) de Candolle: in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 5: 177. (1836)
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