Tall Ironweed Vernonia angustifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Tall Ironweed:
Previously known as:
- Vernonia angustifolia subsp. mohrii
- Vernonia angustifolia subsp. scaberrima
- Vernonia recurva
- Phonetic Spelling
- vur-NO-nee-ah an-gus-ti-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to October.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
