Species PlantsSpotted Joe Pye Weed

Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

CommonPlant
Illustration of Spotted Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)

Spotted Joe Pye Weed is a tall, bold native wildflower growing 4–7 feet tall, distinguished by its purple-spotted stems and large, flat-topped clusters of dusty-pink to purple flowers in midsummer. Found in moist to wet habitats across most of North America, it blooms over a long season from July through September. It is one of the most important butterfly nectar plants in eastern North America, especially for tiger swallowtails and fritillaries. Its bold stature and long bloom season make it outstanding in native gardens.

Habitat
Found in wet meadows, stream banks, moist prairies, and roadsides across North America.
Diet
Critical nectar source for tiger swallowtails, fritillaries, and monarchs; prime bumblebee plant.
How common
Common

Best time to see a Spotted Joe Pye Weed

The best time to see a Spotted Joe Pye Weed is July–August, when about 77% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,502 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Spotted Joe Pye Weed? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Spotted Joe Pye Weed sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Spotted Joe Pye Weed? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Spotted Joe Pye Weed is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Spotted Knapweed
Spotted Knapweed
Centaurea stoebe
Spotted Phlox
Spotted Phlox
Phlox maculata
Spotted St. John's-wort
Spotted St. John's-wort
Hypericum punctatum
Spotted Water Hemlock
Spotted Water Hemlock
Cicuta maculata
Spotted Wintergreen
Spotted Wintergreen
Chimaphila maculata
Spreading Chervil
Spreading Chervil
Chaerophyllum procumbens
Spreading Dogbane
Spreading Dogbane
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Spreading Globeflower
Spreading Globeflower
Trollius laxus