Now blooming - what is it?

[tjc1]

This plant is attracting lots of bees this week - it is growing on the edge of a wetland area (just in front of cattails). Does anyone know what it is? Also blooming just now and COVERED with bees of all kinds, esp honey bees, is the otherwise detested Japanese knotweed, and the clematis is just starting to bloom - looks like a good fall flow this year!

[MsCarol]

I hope you get an answer because I was about to post (or try to) pics of the same plant. Or I think it is the same one. With the same question. It grows all over here including the hillsides and one of the few plants the cattle don't eat. (Along with Ironweed and cockleburs).

Does yours smell very sweet? I could see that the pollen collected was white or offwhite. I was having difficulties taking pics as I had "help" of a half dozen year old half lab pups that were on their morning run. When I stopped to look at anything, they had to see what it was too. They were knocking into the plants and bushes.....and me.

[tjc1]

Yes, it has a sweet smell, but it didn't seem that the bees were getting any pollen from it (tho maybe they hadn't been at work long enough)...

[adgjoan]

Boneset

[MsCarol]

Thank You!!!  :cheer:

Some further study after I had a clue what to look for indicates there are several species that grow in this region. But Thank-You i have learned something today!!

[JWChesnut]

Eupatorium perfoliatum, or Common Boneset.

[byathread]

A relative of Joe Pye Weed. All Eupatorium sp. are good bee plants.

[tjc1]

A relative of Joe Pye Weed. All Eupatorium sp. are good bee plants.

Ah, that's interesting! Thanks for the info everyone.

[Brandon Dean]

Nice pictures.  I see you also have jewel weed behind and to the right inn the bottom picture. Smash and use it to treat poison ivy.