Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Eupatorium perfoliatum

Eupatorium perfoliatum

9.9
A North American herb with groups of small white flowers that people use in folk medicine and call boneset
  • noun
  • /juˈpɑːtəriəm pərˌfoʊliˈeɪtəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Eupatorium perfoliatum
  • Clusters of white flowers make Eupatorium perfoliatum a distinctive sight in wetlands.

Examples

  • Many herbalists recommend Eupatorium perfoliatum for its medicinal properties.

  • The dried leaves of Eupatorium perfoliatum were brewed into teas by Native Americans.

  • Traditional healers sometimes used Eupatorium perfoliatum to treat flu-like symptoms.

  • The Eupatorium perfoliatum plant thrives in wetland areas.

  • The herb Eupatorium perfoliatum, commonly known as boneset, is used in herbal remedies for its fever-reducing properties.

  • Traditionally, people brewed Eupatorium perfoliatum as a tea to help alleviate cold symptoms.

  • The herb Eupatorium perfoliatum has clusters of small white flowers and was often used in folk medicine.

Synonyms

boneset
vsEupatorium perfoliatum
  • US
1 9.9

A North American plant that grows every year with clusters of white flowers used in traditional medicine

is the scientific name used for that same plant
agueweed
vsEupatorium perfoliatum
  • US
9.9

A wild plant of the southeastern United States with white, daisy-like flowers once used in folk medicine

is wider in range found across North America rather than only southeastern US
thoroughwort
vsEupatorium perfoliatum
  • US
9.9

A perennial herb with white flowers used in traditional medicine

is broader in range found across North America rather than only southeastern US

Surface Forms

Eupatorium perfoliatum singular
Eupatorium perfoliatums plural

Morphology

Eupatorium + perfoliatum

This is a Latin binomial (taxonomic) name rather than an ordinary English phrase; even if a learner knows 'Eupatorium' as a plant genus, the species epithet 'perfoliatum' is not a common English word (and is not found here), so the specific meaning ('boneset' or that particular herb) cannot be derived. Botanical Latin functions as a label across languages rather than a compositional English expression, so its meaning is unpredictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Eupatorium perfoliatum got its name from the plant's look and its old use as a medicine. The second word, perfoliatum, means the stem seems to pass 'through' the wide leaves, a clear picture to help you recognise the plant. People also called it 'boneset' because they used it for fevers that made the bones feel sore, which explains its role as a healing herb today.