"There are two versions of how the joe-pye weed got its name. The most common one traces it to a 18th Century Native American medicine man named Joe Pye, who traveled the length of New England treating fevers — typhoid fever in particular — with an infusion made from the plant’s leaves. The other story asserts that joe-pye is a corruption of the Native American word for typhoid, jopi". (From The Field Notebook: field-notebook.com)
Joe Pye Weed prefers more moisture than my garden normally provides, so I have "cheated" a bit by placing it next to my neighbors sprinkling system (located on the other side of the fence). This is the third location I have tried with this particular plant, and it seems to be happy. It is about 4 feet tall here. It can grow several feet taller in the wild.
It is a great favorite with insects. I'm awaiting an identification of this beautiful beetle from Bugguide.net.
More on the bumblebee to follow!
Jonna! I'm loving your posts. Everything from crunching cicadas to treating typhoid. And some very nice pixes. Nice shot of your ailanthus moth :) http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/07/13/ailanthus-webworm-moth-14/
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