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Additional notes (click to expand)

Commemorative

It gained its Latin genus 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.

Oakeley, Dr. Henry. (2012). Doctors in the Medicinal Garden. Plants named after physicians. Royal College of Physicians. p. 49 link

Medicinal

Possible anti-tumour activity in this genus.

Podlech, D. (1996). Herbs & Healing Plants of Britain & Europe, Collins p.146

Used to treat flu-like symptoms and in conjunction with antibiotics, to stimulate the immune system, as a diuretic and to aid convalescence.

Podlech, D. (1996). Herbs & Healing Plants of Britain & Europe, Collins p.146

Toxicity

Toxic due to presence of pyrrolidizine alkaloids that damage the liver and lungs and may be carcinogenic.

Professor Anthony Dayan, 2022

Geographical distribution

Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria
Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco
Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, North Caucasus
Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, Transcaucasus
Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Turkmenistan
Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Cyprus
Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran
Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iraq
Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Israel
Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Lebanon-Syria
Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Nepal
Europe, Eastern Europe, Baltic States
Europe, Eastern Europe, Belarus
Europe, Eastern Europe, North European Russia
Europe, Eastern Europe, Northwest European Russia
Europe, Eastern Europe, South European Russia
Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine
Europe, Middle Europe, Austria
Europe, Middle Europe, Belgium
Europe, Middle Europe, Germany
Europe, Middle Europe, Hungary
Europe, Middle Europe, Netherlands
Europe, Middle Europe, Poland
Europe, Middle Europe, Slovakia
Europe, Middle Europe, Switzerland
Europe, Northern Europe, Denmark
Europe, Northern Europe, Finland
Europe, Northern Europe, Great Britain
Europe, Northern Europe, Ireland
Europe, Northern Europe, Norway
Europe, Northern Europe, Sweden
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Czech Republic
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Romania
Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia
Europe, Southwestern Europe, France
Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal
Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Eupatorium cannabinum L.

Family: ASTERACEAE
Genus: Eupatorium
Species: cannabinum L.
Common names: Hemp Agrimony
Distribution summary: Eurasia
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H4 - Hardy; average winter
Habitat: Wet woodland, wasteland, riverbanks and pond margins
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Europe & Middle East (J)
Flowering months: July, August, September
Reason for growing: Commemorative, medicinal, toxic

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