Joe Pye Weed
The US Department of Agriculture and the authors make no claims about the healing properties of these plants and/or their curative abilities. This information is presented to summarize traditional and folkloric medicinal uses of herbs, and is not intended to take the place of a professional medical opinion or to serve for self-diagnosis or treatment. Some of the plants listed here are toxic and should only be used by licensed professionals who can process them properly. Additionally, some of the traditional uses for these herbs have since proven to be ineffective. If you have a medical problem, consult your physician to discuss any alternatives. |
General Description
Joe Pye weed is an herbaceous perennial that grows 4 to 7 feet in height with a 2-3 feet spread. Stems are stout, erect, branching only occasionally at the top, hollow or containing an incomplete pith, mostly green in color with purple at the nodes where the leaves are attached. Leaves are in whorls of 3 to 6, thin, 4-12 inches long and 1-3 inches wide, elliptic or lanceolate with toothy margins. Flowers are produced in August to September, growing in loose, terminal, domed clusters of 6-10 flower heads that are whitish to purple in color. Flowers and crushed leaves have a vanilla scent. Seed heads persist well into winter. The root is blackish and woody with numerous dark brown fibers (Botany.com 1997-2001, Grieve 1931, Harding 1936, Haughton 2001, Missouri Botanical Garden 2000, Perry 2001).
Natural Habitat
Found mainly in low grounds, damp woods, and meadows from Canada to Texas and Florida (Grieve 1931, USDA, NRCS 2001). Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 10 (Horticopia, Inc. 2001).
Uses
The root is collected in autumn. Medicinal actions are astringent, diuretic, nervine, and tonic. The root is used primarily to treat problems of the urinary tract such as kidney stones or gravel, incontinence, cystitis, and urethritis. Because it increases removal of waste from the kidneys, it is also used as a systemic treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, and gout. It has also been used to tone the reproductive tract, ease childbirth, increase poor menstrual flow, and treat inflammation of the prostrate. The common name of the plant comes from a Native American healer who used the plant to induce sweating that would cure fevers and treat outbreaks of typhus (Fern 1997-2000, Foster and Duke 2000, Grieve 1931, Harding 1936, Haughton 2001).
Joe Pye weed also can be used to landscape native plant gardens and naturalized areas to attract butterflies and other wildlife (Fern 1997-2000, Missouri Botanical Garden 2000).
Status
This plant is not threatened or endangered. There are currently no harvest restrictions.
Silviculture
Soil should be moist to wet, fertile, and humusy. Prefers part shade to full sun (Horticopia, Inc. 2001, Missouri Botanical Garden 2000).
Propagation can be done by sowing seeds in spring. Stem cuttings can be taken in the spring, and transplanted into the garden after roots form. Division can be done in spring or autumn (Botany.com 1997-2001, Fern 1997-2000).
References
- Additional NTFP References
- Garden Web Glossary of Botanical Terms
- Dictionary of Medical Terms
- National Arboretum USDA Hardiness Zones Map
Encyclopedia ID: p1896
