Plant DetailShow Menu

Vernonia angustifolia

Previously known as:

  • Vernonia angustifolia
Phonetic Spelling
vur-NO-nee-ah an-gus-ti-FOH-lee-ah
Description

Vernonanthura nudiflora is a native wildflower in the Asteraceae family is easy to grow in the full sun. In its natural habitat it occurs in pine woods, in mixed pine-hardwood forests, in sandhills, on roadside banks, and in disturbed woodlands.

Showy magenta-purple flowers appear in the summer and are attractive to butterflies and bees. The plant reproduces and grows easily from seed so deadhead flowers to prevent unwanted reseeding. Reduce plant height by cutting back stems in late spring. It works well in a naturalized landscape, cottage garden and as a background plant in a border.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  If not deadheaded, its self-seeding can produce unwanted spread.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#nectar plant#specialized bees#NC native#native garden#naturalizes#self-seeding#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Coastal FACU#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#nectar plant#specialized bees#NC native#native garden#naturalizes#self-seeding#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Coastal FACU#bee friendly#Audubon#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vernonia
    Species:
    angustifolia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast US
    Distribution:
    AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attractive to butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Veronia support the following specialized bee: Melissodes (Eumelissodes) denticulatus.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from September to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Head
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flower heads are arranged in corymbs. Each head consists of 9-30 purple disc flowers. Blooms from June to September.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Shape:
    Filiform
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Linear leaves are medium green
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Thick green stems with fine hairs are xylopodium, meaning that the stems are located underground and only the branches appear above ground. When young, the stems are striated with canals with hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil