Thursday, October 23, 2008

Joe Pye Weed

Eupatorium purpureum aka Queen of the Meadow aka Gravel Root aka Joe Pye Weed is a perennial that is quite easy to grow. It can easily be naturalized in the wild garden and will also grow in low marshy ground. The rosy/purple flowers at the top of a 5 to 6 foot plant are just so pretty and last from August up until a hard frost. It attracts a large variety of butterflies to the garden. Named for Joe-Pye, a Native American Herbalist who used it to cure fevers/typhus, it is a native American wild flower and can still be used medicinally. The name gravel root refers to its helpfulness with kidney stones or gravel. It is also helpful in urinary infections such as cystitis and urethritis. Joe pye weed can be of benefit in a protocol for gout as well. (Note: Joe Pye Weed should not be confused with Joe Pa. Go Penn State!)




3 comments:

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Love that Joe Pye Weed and Penn State!

La Tea Dah said...

It's beautiful --- but not a plant I recognize. Does it grow on the west coast?

LaTeaDah

Thaleia said...

Such a pretty flower. Our local butterfly house has this planted inside!