White Snakeroot vs Late Boneset

These plants often occur in the same habitat, and can be tricky to distinguish early in the season. They are more distinctive when blooming.

White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum)
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) A poisonous perennial herb native to eastern North America. One of the most common members of the Eupatorieae tribe of the aster family. In much of its range, among the last wildflowers to bloom in fall.	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) A perennial of sunny, disturbed, moist areas, native to the southeastern to central US, expanding into the northeast.
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) Stout, compact growth habit. Plant branches more low down, inflorescence rarely extends beyond most of the plant. Photo © , CC BY-SA 4.0.	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) Tall, narrow growth habit. Some plants branch little until the inflorescence. Branches of inflorescence spread widely; inflorescence often the broadest part of the plant. Photo © jimkingdon (iNaturalist), Public Domain.
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) Shorter, broader leaves. Photo © Even Dankowicz, CC BY 4.0.	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) Longer, narrower leaves. Photo © Ira Gershenhorn, Public Domain.
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) Averages more florets per head: usually 12-25. Photo © Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0.	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) Averages fewer florets per head, usually 9-14. Photo © kent, Public Domain.
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) Leaves flat or slightly wrinked around veins, but not consistently curved upwards. Photo © lotteryd, CC BY 4.0.	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) Leaves often curve upwards at margins, especially higher up on the plant, often subtly evident on young plants. Photo © Madison Gover, CC BY 4.0.
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) More tolerant of shady, drier habitats. Photo © Alaina Larkin, CC BY 4.0.	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) Tends to be found in wetter, sunnier habitats. Photo © David Hebert, CC BY 4.0.
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) Rarely grows more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. Often much smaller. Photo © , .	Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) Can grow up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall. Commonly at least 5 feet. Photo © , .

References & External Resources

These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.