This member of the Sunflower family has a dome shaped inflorescence of many slender purplish pink heads. The flower heads are 1/3 inch (8 mm) wide in 4 - 5.5 inch (10 - 14 cm) wide clusters. The leaves are 2.5 - 8 inches (6.3 - 20 cm) long and are lanceolate, coarsely toothed in whorls of 3-5. The stem is hollow and purple. The plant inhabits meadows and moist sunny areas. Plant flowers in August and September.

There are several species of Joe-Pye Weed. E. purpureum (Sweet Joe-Pye Weed) has a green, solid stem with sharply toothed leaves in whorls of 3 or 4. The foliage smells like vanilla when crushed.