Dog Fennel, Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small)

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Dog Fennel is a member of the aster family (family Asteraceae) which includes herbs, sometimes shrubs or vines, rarely trees, with simple or compound, alternate or opposite leaves. Flowers small, but organized into larger heads resembling a single, radially symmetrical flower cupped by a ring of green bracts. Flower-like heads: tiny, radially symmetrical central flowers form the disk; larger flowers around the edge, the rays, strap-shaped and resembling petals; however, all flowers in one had may be disk flowers or rays.

Photographic Location: Rock Island State Park in TN.