joe-pye weed

noun

\ ˈjō-ˈpī-

Definition of joe-pye weed

: any of several tall North American perennial composite herbs (especially Eupatorium maculatum and E. purpureum) with whorled leaves and corymbose heads of typically purplish tubular flowers

Examples of joe-pye weed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many species of caterpillars exclusively eat milkweed leaves, and butterflies consume nectar from natives, including wild bergamots, yarrows and joe-pye weed. — Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2022 But also hickory, chestnut, elms and birches, and joe-pye weed, aster, marsh marigold, skunk cabbage, snakeweed. — Matthew Cicanese And Erika Reiter, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'joe-pye weed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.