August 5, 2004
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
There are a number of these stately plants in the bioswales
in front of the Water Department buildings. The stems seem
to protrude right through the center of each long trapezoidal leaf,
a characteristic called "perfoliate."

Historically, Boneset was used to treat conditions ranging from
the symptoms of flu to problems with the flow of bile. There seems to be little current evidence that the plant has medicinal value.