August 2, 2025

Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium).

In the genus Eutrochium there are five species of Joe Pye Weed native to North America and Canada; including Spotted Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum), Appalachian Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium steelei), Coastal Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium dubium), Hollow-stem Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum), and Sweet-scented Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum). All five of these species are native to Virginia.

Joe Pye Weed plants can grow to be quite tall, up to 10 feet tall. They have domed or flat-topped flower heads containing only disk flowers with a pinkish-purple color. Their toothed leaves are mostly arranged in whorls around the stem with the exception of some which are arranged in opposite pairs near the flower heads. These plants tend to live in meadows, wetlands, and along streams.

And last but not least they attract scores of pollinators.

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