The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: common boneset, thoroughwort

Family: Asteraceae (aster, daisy, sunflower family)

Distribution: e. North America

Habitat: Moist, low ground, marshes, roadsides, swamps, wet pastures; 10–500+ m

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: This large, clump-forming, native perennial typically occurs in wet soils in low woods, thickets, stream banks, meadows and prairies. Flat-topped clusters of small, fluffy, white flowers appear above the foliage in late summer to fall. Foliage is quite distinctive: the bases of the pairs of lance-shaped, medium green leaves unite to surround the hairy stems (perfoliatum meaning through the foliage). Historically, boneset was commonly included in medical herb gardens and used as a folk medicine.