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Questions and Answers: 2021

Question: Hello! I wanted to ask if stem characteristics are a good way to tell apart Eutrochium maculatum and Eutrochium fistulosum. …

• Question

  Hello! I wanted to ask if stem characteristics are a good way to tell apart Eutrochium maculatum and Eutrochium fistulosum. Does Eutrochium fistulosum have a very obviously smooth and glaucous stem with a waxy bloom, or can it sometimes have a kind of sticky texture, presumably caused by small sparse hairs? I am finding many Eutrochium plants with purplish-red, and usually hollow, stems with sticky texture. They are rarely more than 5 ft 7in tall. Location: Central and NE New York. Thanks!

  Answer

  Dear philterfeed, stem characteristics can be quite good to separate the two species you mentioned. Keep in mind that Eutrochium maculatum frequently develops a narrow central cavity, so we need to eliminate this one first before going to that "hollow stem" character. Eutrochium maculatum has more flowers per capitulum (i.e., flower head) than the other species in the northeast. Once this is learned, it is useful to distinguish this species from E. fistulosum. Hopefully this is helpful, but if more questions remain, feel free to ask.