• Photo of Eutrochium fistulosum (Eutrochium fistulosums)

Plant Profile: Eutrochium fistulosum

Taxonomy: Eutrochium fistulosum

Names

Hollow Joe Pye Weed, Hollow-stemmed Joe-pye-weed, Joe-Pye-Weed, Purple Thoroughwort, Queen of the Meadow, Trumpetweed

  • Photo of Eutrochium fistulosum (Eutrochium fistulosums)

Phonetic Spelling:yoo-TRO-kee-um fist-yoo-LOW-sum

Genus:Eutrochium

Species:fistulosum

Family:Asteraceae

Hollow Joe Pye Weed is a native perennial herb that thrives in the moist, low-lying areas of meadows, woodlands, and fields. This upright, clump-forming plant typically reaches heights of 4 to 7 feet, making it a striking addition to the rear of any garden. While it flourishes in rich, damp to wet soils, it can also adapt to gravelly or sandy conditions, provided there is adequate moisture. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in neutral to slightly acidic soils. It exhibits moderate resistance to deer damage, and its flowers are particularly appealing to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, while songbirds enjoy its seeds.

To ensure optimal growth, give this plant ample space, making it ideal for naturalizing in moist meadows or in gardens designed for native species and pollinators. In partially shaded areas, the tall stems may require support. It is advisable to cut the plants back to the ground in late winter. For propagation or to manage excessive clumping, divide the plants in the fall as they enter dormancy or in the spring when new shoots begin to emerge.

This plant is particularly effective at attracting butterflies.

In 2017, Hollow Joe Pye Weed was honored as the NC Wildflower of the Year, a recognition facilitated by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

**Quick Identification Tips:**

**Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Issues:**

There are no significant insect or disease threats associated with this plant. However, leaves may become scorched if the soil dries out.

Eutrochium fistulosum Feature Summary

Eutrochium fistulosum Image Gallery

Tags

#perennial
#wildlife plant
#nectar plant
#cut flowers
#seeds
#dried flowers
#herb garden
#food source
#low flammability
#NC native
#Pearl Crescent butterfly
#fire resistant
#native wildflower
#wildflower garden
#larval host plant
#food source fall
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#Coastal FACW
#Piedmont Mountains FACW
#bird friendly
#food source hard mast fruit
#butterfly friendly
#nectar plant mid-summer
#nectar plant late summer
#nectar plant early fall
#nectar plant mid-fall
#pollinator garden
#audubon
#NC Wildflower of the Year

Similar Plants

Eutrochium fistulosum is often confused with:

Eutrochium fistulosum Feature Summary

Attributes
Native Americans made teas from various parts of the plant to treat ailments.
Eastern North America
AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV
Flower nectar is attractive to various pollinators, especially honeybees. It supports Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) larvae. Pearl Crescent butterflies have flights many times during the year in Mexico or the Deep South but only from April through November in the north. Songbirds eat the seeds.
Perennial
Seed
Stem Cutting
Division
low flammability
Fruit
Flowers give way to attractive seed heads lasting well into winter. Small dry seeds with hair-like bristles are dispersed by the wind. Displays from August to November
Flowers
The flowers have a vanilla scent, are purple or pink and occur in rounded clusters of 5 to 7 florets per head that are up to 12-18 inches across. The individual disc flowers are about 1/3 inch across. Flowers appear from July to October.
Fragrant
Good Cut
Showy
Long Bloom Season
Good Dried
< 1 inch
Leaves
Lance-shaped dark green leaves are up to 10 inches long and 3 inches across with prominent venation, serrated margins and grows in whorls of 4-7.
Lanceolate
Serrate
Crenate
> 6 inches
1-3 inches
Stem
The hollow central stem is dark purple to pale purplish-white, stout, round, smooth and glaucous.
Purple/Lavender
Green
White
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Straight
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Herbaceous Perennial
Native Plant
Wildflower
Herb
Erect
Clumping
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Moist
Occasionally Wet
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Landscape
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Cottage Garden
Native Garden
Mass Planting
Small groups
Specimen
Woodland
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Bees

Eutrochium fistulosum Attributes

Eutrochium fistulosum: Uses (Ethnobotany)

Native Americans made teas from various parts of the plant to treat ailments.

Eutrochium fistulosum: Country Or Region Of Origin

Eastern North America

Eutrochium fistulosum: Distribution

AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV

Eutrochium fistulosum: Wildlife Value

Flower nectar is attractive to various pollinators, especially honeybees. It supports Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) larvae. Pearl Crescent butterflies have flights many times during the year in Mexico or the Deep South but only from April through November in the north. Songbirds eat the seeds.

Eutrochium fistulosum: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)

fire in the landscape.

Eutrochium fistulosum: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Eutrochium fistulosum: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Eutrochium fistulosum: Fire Risk Rating

extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability

Eutrochium fistulosum Fruit

Eutrochium fistulosum: Fruit Description

Flowers give way to attractive seed heads lasting well into winter. Small dry seeds with hair-like bristles are dispersed by the wind. Displays from August to November

Eutrochium fistulosum: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Eutrochium fistulosum: Fruit Color

grass
Black

Eutrochium fistulosum: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Eutrochium fistulosum Flowers

Eutrochium fistulosum: Flower Description

The flowers have a vanilla scent, are purple or pink and occur in rounded clusters of 5 to 7 florets per head that are up to 12-18 inches across. The individual disc flowers are about 1/3 inch across. Flowers appear from July to October.

Eutrochium fistulosum: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Pink

Eutrochium fistulosum: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Eutrochium fistulosum: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Eutrochium fistulosum: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Eutrochium fistulosum: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Eutrochium fistulosum: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Eutrochium fistulosum Leaves

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Description

Lance-shaped dark green leaves are up to 10 inches long and 3 inches across with prominent venation, serrated margins and grows in whorls of 4-7.

Eutrochium fistulosum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Eutrochium fistulosum: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Eutrochium fistulosum: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Eutrochium fistulosum Stem

Eutrochium fistulosum: Stem Description

The hollow central stem is dark purple to pale purplish-white, stout, round, smooth and glaucous.

Eutrochium fistulosum: Stem Color

grass
Green
grass
Purple/Lavender
grass
White

Eutrochium fistulosum: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Eutrochium fistulosum: Stem Cross Section

Angular
Oval
Round
Square

Eutrochium fistulosum: Stem Surface

Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)

Eutrochium fistulosum: Stem Form

Straight
Zig Zags

Eutrochium fistulosum Whole Plant Traits

Eutrochium fistulosum: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Eutrochium fistulosum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Eutrochium fistulosum: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Eutrochium fistulosum: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Eutrochium fistulosum: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Eutrochium fistulosum Cultural Conditions

Eutrochium fistulosum: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Eutrochium fistulosum: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Eutrochium fistulosum: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Eutrochium fistulosum: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Eutrochium fistulosum: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Eutrochium fistulosum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b

Eutrochium fistulosum: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Eutrochium fistulosum Landscape

Eutrochium fistulosum: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Eutrochium fistulosum: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Eutrochium fistulosum: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Eutrochium fistulosum: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Eutrochium fistulosum: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees