COMPOSITE FAMILY 



or charm that it might possess was the plant known to 

 the old Nantucketers. It was, perhaps, the most useful 

 "herb" they had. As indicated by the common names, 

 Ague-weed and Feverwort, it was a popular remedy for 

 fever and ague. The symptoms following its use, it is 

 said, were those of a setting bone, hence the name of 

 Boneset. The plant is still in favour medicinally, being 

 considered an excellent remedy in influenza. 



COMPOSITE COMPOSITE FAMILY 



Eupatorium purpureum, L. 



Magenta-crimson Joe-Pye Weed, 



Tall Boneset, 



August-September Trumpet-weed, 



Gravel-root. 



Eupatorium: for derivation see perfoliatum. 

 Purpureum: Latin for red or purple. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: borders of swamps or low, 

 damp ground. 



THE PLANT: erect, three feet tall or taller; branched at the 

 top ; the stem green c r purple without hairs or with short 

 ones. 



THE LEAVES: verticillate in threes or sixes; thin; ovate or 

 ovate-lanceolate; without hairs or with short ones on the 

 veins beneath; acuminate at the apex; petioled; serrate. 



THE FLOWER HEADS: numerous and long; the bracts of 

 the involucre pink, oblong, obtuse, in four or five series. 

 Albinos have been found. 



THE FRUIT: achenes. 



A handsome and a satisfying plant is the Joe-Pye Weed, 

 named in honour of an Indian who used it in the cure of 

 fevers. From the plant is obtained a drug, valuable 



365 



