Eutrochium purpureum is "supposed" to have whorled leaves with 4 or 5 leaves per node, but in reality there can be anything from 2 to 5. First year plants, in particular, often have just a pair of leaves at each node. These first year plants commonly bloom, even if they only get a foot or so tall. This young plant had its top nipped off, but you can see the leaf arrangement clearly enough:
Mature plants are typically 3 to 8 feet tall with leaves in whorls of 3 to 5. The flowers of the plants from this area tend to be very pale, just a hint of pink at peak bloom. They still strongly attract butterflies, though, in spite of their rather dull color. However, the flowers can be much brighter in other parts of its range.
