In South Africa it has been cultivated as an ornamental, is often found on roadsides, and has become of concern for its invading of undisturbed climax grassland and wetlands since the 1960s.

[3] The plant dies back annually to its root crown, and survives veldfires over the winter period.

[6] Research at Cedara College of Agriculture has found a rust fungus, Puccinia eupatorii, which invades the seeds and kills the whole plant, including the roots.

[9] Material from this species has been analysed, resulting in the identification of six triterpenes, one diterpene glycoside ester, six steroids, one flavonoid known as cirsilol, and six cinnamic acids derivatives.

[11] "Eupatorium" was first used by Linnaeus to honour 'Eupator Dionysius' aka Mithridates, an ancient ruler of Anatolia, while 'macrocephalum' means 'large-headed' and refers to the inflorescence.