Justiceweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Justiceweed |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eupatorium
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| Species: |
leucolepis
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| Synonyms | |
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Eupatorium leucolepis, often called justiceweed or white-bracted thoroughwort, is a type of plant. It's a herbaceous perennial plant, which means it has soft stems and lives for more than two years. This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes daisies and sunflowers.
Justiceweed grows naturally in the eastern coastal parts of the United States. You can find it from New York all the way down to eastern Texas. Sometimes, you might also see it further inland in places like Kentucky and West Virginia.
What is Justiceweed?
Justiceweed is a plant that comes back year after year. It's known for its white parts, which are called 'bracts'. Bracts are like small, leaf-like structures often found near flowers. Plants like justiceweed are important parts of their ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for different animals.
How Scientists Name Plants
Scientists give plants special names, like Eupatorium leucolepis. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about. Sometimes, scientists learn new things about plants. This can lead to changes in how plants are grouped or named.
Related Plants: Eupatorium paludicola and Eupatorium novae-angliae
For a long time, some plants found in North Carolina and South Carolina were thought to be justiceweed. These plants, called Eupatorium paludicola, grow in clay soils. Scientists later realized they were different.
Another plant, Eupatorium novae-angliae, is found in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This plant is special because it formed from two different parent plants. It's a natural mix of Eupatorium paludicola and Eupatorium perfoliatum. Even though it was once considered a type of justiceweed, scientists now treat it as its own species. This shows how plant families can be complex and how new species can develop!
