Eupatorium sessilifolium (upland boneset)
 
While its cousin, Common Boneset, loves to get its feet wet, Upland Boneset prefers a slightly higher vantage point. This sophisticated perennial thrives in dry woodland edges and upland thickets, showing off flat-topped clusters of frothy white flowers in late summer.
 
It’s easily identified by its "sessile" leaves, which means they hug the stem directly without any stalks. It’s a magnet for butterflies, wasps, and beetles, making it a key player in any "pollinator buffet" that doesn't have the space (or the mud) for its more moisture-loving relatives.
 
photo by Sonnia Hill