Eupatorium capillifolium

(Lam.) Small ex Porter & Britton

AsteraceaeLeavesPotential hazards — see below
Caution — Parts of this plant may be toxic or require specific preparation. Verify with multiple sources before consuming.
Eupatorium capillifolium
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Tony Rodd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
Eupatorium capillifolium
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) Suzanne Cadwell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Eupatorium capillifolium
iNaturalist · cc-by-sa
(c) Leonora (Ellie) Enking, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves

None known

Known Hazards

Dog fennel contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver failure.

Where to Find It

It is a tropical plant.

Asia, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A perennial herb reaching 3 meters tall with fine, thread-like foliage. Hermaphrodite flowers attract insects for pollination and the plant is self-fertile. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil pH. Prefers moist conditions and can thrive in semi-shaded woodland settings or full sun.

How to Grow

Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, barely covering it. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out into permanent positions during summer. Division in spring or autumn is very easy — clumps can be replanted directly into permanent positions.

Medicinal Uses

The entire plant is applied externally as a remedy for the bites of reptiles and insects.

Other Uses

The plant is used as a strewing herb and to discourage insects.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Eupatorium capillifolium, or dog fennel (also written "dogfennel"), is a North American perennial herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the eastern and south-central United States. It is generally between 50 cm and 2 meters tall with several stems that fork from a substantial base. The stems and base are covered in leaves so dissected that they resemble branching green threads coming out of the stem in fractal patterns. When crushed, the leaves have a sour odor similar to dill pickles. The flowers have a subtle floral odor.

Names & Synonyms

Suv ntsim

Artemisia capillifolia Lam.ad others
References (1)
  • Whitney, C. W., et al, 2014, Conservation and Ethnobotanical Knowledge of a Hmong Community in Long Lan, Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Ethnobotany Research and Applications 12:643-658

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