This photo is featured in 2 plant ID/comparison guides:
These closely-related plants can be tricky to distinguish, especially early in the season, before they bloom. Although they have some overlap in habitat, late boneset ranges farther south and prefers sunnier, wetter habitats, and is more tolerant of acidic soil, whereas white snakeroot ranges farther north and prefers shadier, drier conditions but requires more neutral soils.
These similar plants have a wide range of overlap and often occur together in open, disturbed ground. They are easily told apart by a close look at their leaves, flowers, or seedheads. Their names are misleading in that late boneset can sometimes grow taller, and their bloom times are similar. Eupatorium serotinum ranges into wetter habitats, and ranges farther south, whereas Eupatorium altissimum ranges into drier habitats, especially on calcareous soils, and ranges farther northwest. Overlap is greater in anthropogenic habitats than in natural areas. These two species can hybridize, so it may not be possible to identify all individuals.
