Eupatorium novae-angliae
Distinguishing Features: this name applies to plants that appear to be hybrid derivatives of E. paludicola and E. perfoliatum. Because its leaves are relatively narrow and resemble those of E. leucolepis, for many years this species was considered to be a variety of E. leucolepis. Of its parents, E. novae-angliae is most similar morphologically to E. paludicola, and the contribution from E. perfoliatum is reflected most clearly in the presence in many heads of more than 5 flowers. It is an entirely apomictic species that occurs in wet areas and reproduces primarily by rhizomes.
Habitat: pond edges.
Geographic Distribution: known from only 15 locations in the northeastern U.S. (Massachusetts and Rhode Island).
Similar Species: Eupatorium leucolepis and E. paludicola have leaves that are similarly shaped, but in these species the leaf blades are conduplicate, have few teeth, and the two lateral leaf veins diverge from the midrib at the very base of the blade (in contrast to leaf blades that are flat to only weakly conduplicate with numerous leaf teeth and the lateral veins diverging well above the base in E. novae-angliae).
Molecular Data : samples of E. novae-angliae (DNA #s ) are characterized by indel polymorphisms and bp polymorphisms, which has allowed identification of its progenitor lineages.
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