SafePlants

False Boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides)

False Boneset, also known as Kuhnia eupatorioides, is a native wildflower found across North America.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• The leaves are described as rough to the touch.
• The plant produces small, creamy white flowers in clusters.
• Stems are covered in fine hairs.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Brickellia eupatorioides (L.) Shinners
• Common Name: False Boneset
• Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family or Composite Family)
• Synonyms: Kuhnia eupatorioides
• Varieties: The text mentions Brickellia eupatorioides var. corymbulosa and Brickellia eupatorioides var. eupatorioides and Brickellia eupatorioides var. chlorolopis.
• The name Kuhnia is named after Dr. Adam Kuhn. The name eupatorioides is from the plant's similarity to the genus Eupatorium.

Distribution and Habitat

• False Boneset is widespread in North America and Mexico.
• It is typically found in dry to moderately moist prairies, savannas, sandy fields, rich woods, moist roadside ditches, and other sunny habitats.
• Specific locations mentioned include Minnesota, New Mexico (White Rock), Berrien County, Albany, WI and coastal regions.

Morphological Characteristics

• This perennial plant typically grows to 1-3 feet (approximately 1 meter) tall.
• It is unbranched except near the apex, where the flowering stems occur.
• Stems are round and can be nearly glabrous (smooth) or densely short hairy.
• Leaves are alternate, numerous, and simple. Lower leaves are short-stalked, becoming stalkless in the upper part of the plant. They are narrowly lanceolate and dotted with glands beneath.
• The plant has a very long taproot, which can grow up to 16-17 feet deep.
• It produces creamy to white-colored flowers that bloom from late August through October. The flowers are described as clusters of small creamy white cylindrical-shaped flowers.

Ecological Role

• It is a typical dry prairie species.
• False Boneset serves as a food source for grazing animals.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Moth larva (Schinia) can be found on False Boneset.

Quirky Facts

• Dr. Adam Kuhn, a student of Carl Linnaeus, first presented a live specimen of False Boneset to his teacher.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Brickellia eupatorioides.
• Dave's Garden provides a community forum for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
• TERMIUM is the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank.