This perennial herbaceous plant has flat-topped white clusters of flowers, is quite hairy, and has long, pointed, wrinkled leaves.  It prefers boggy, low wet areas, such as wetlands, thickets and banks of streams.  The leaves are whorled in pairs around the stem.  It starts blooming in late summer just shortly before the asters.  Tea can be brewed from its dried leaves and is considered a good laxative.