| Author | Godfrey | |
| Distribution | Poorly known owing to taxonomic issues and unfamiliarity to most botanists. Apparently only in the low to mid-elevations in the southern Mountains/foothills.
"Sw. NC, nw. SC, and ne. GA; perhaps more widespread" (Weakley 2022). | |
| Abundance | Until a specimen was collected (NCU specimen) in Cherokee County in 2022 by Mark and Myra Basinger, and confirmed by Bruce Sorrie, all previously known specimens seemed to be from 1969 and older, which is why the NCNHP has given a State Rank of SH (Historical), and tracks records as Significantly Rare. However, as this is a poorly known taxon, who knows if specimens of Eupatorium in various herbaria have been re-examined for this taxon, and certainly the taxon is likely unfamiliar to most biologists and botanists in the field. Thankfully, it is still extant, probably overlooked, and the website editors suggest a State Rank of S2?. Weakley (2022) calls it "rare" in the NC Mountains and Piedmont. NatureServe rightfully gives a Global Rank of GNR (Not yet ranked). Based on the apparently limited overall range, the website suggests a Global Rank of G2?, though simply GU (Undetermined) is also suitable. | |
| Habitat | Hardwood and pine-hardwood slope forests and woodlands, the soils mesic to moist. Probably favors wooded borders and openings, as most Eupatorium species favor some sunlight. | |
| Phenology | Flowering and fruiting late July-September. | |
| Identification | Leaves of Fernald's Thoroughwort are longer and taper to a longer point than other close relatives (like Godfrey's Thoroughwort [E. godfreyanum]), which reflects the length of leaves of two of its parents. In addition, its leaves have abundant resin dots (vs. sparse in Godfrey's Thoroughwort). | |
| Taxonomic Comments | Fernald's Boneset is an apomictic species, derived from hybrid E. perfoliatum x petaloideum x sessilifolium.
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| Other Common Name(s) | Fernald's Eupatorium, Fernald's Boneset | |
| State Rank | SH [S2?] | |
| Global Rank | GNR [G2?] | |
| State Status | SR-T | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | | |
| USACE-emp | | |
