It gained its Latin name from Mithridates VI Eupator (134–63 BC), after whom a complex, and mythological, potion – a Mithridate – to cure all poisoning is named. He was King of Pontus and Armenia Minor (now northern Turkey), engaged in huge wars against Rome and indulged in brutal genocides. He is more famous for his interest in antidotes to poisons. Leonhart Fuchs writes (excerpted from the 1999 facsimile and commentary on his herbal of 1542): Mithridates, indeed, mighty king of Pontus and the Parthians, was not content to have won renown for his skill in 22 languages and from his various victories; but that he might become more famous and illustrious, he applied himself energetically to the business of obtaining exact knowledge of all medicinal simples, especially those that were antidotes to deadly poisons. His father, Mithridates V, was assassinated by poison in 120 BC, so Eupator reportedly developed immunity to poisons by regularly consuming sub-lethal doses. When he was finally defeated and in exile in the Crimea he tried to commit suicide by poison, but it had no effect, so he had to ask a loyal army officer to kill him with his sword to avoid capture by the Romans.

Also known as Eupatorium purpureum subsp maculatum. Austin (2004) reports many Native American uses: the roots were used as a laxative (Mahuna); as a breath freshner (Meskwaki); for postpartum bleeding (Menomini and Potawatomi); as a poultice for burns (Potawatomi) and as inhaled vapour from infusions for colds (Ojibwa). Milspaugh (1974) writes that it was used as a diuretic and stimulant, as an astringent tonic, for dropsy (heart failure), strangury, small urinary stones, haematuria, gout and rheumatism. Toxic effects noted are salivation, stomach cramps, urgency of micturition, tachycardia, faintness and sleepiness.

syn. = Eupatorium pupureum subsp. maculatum 'Glutball'