ironweed

ironweed, (genus Vernonia), genus of about 500 species of perennial plants of the aster family (Asteraceae). Small herbaceous species are distributed throughout the world, while shrubs and trees are native primarily to tropical regions. Some authorities have suggested that the genus be limited to only the North American species. A handful of autumn-blooming species are cultivated as border plants for their attractive white, purple, or pink flower clusters.

Physical description

Members of the genus have lance-shaped toothed leaves that alternate along the stem. The clusters of flower heads are composed of only disk flowers (no ray flowers). There is a characteristic ring of overlapping bracts (leaflike structures) below the flower heads. Some species have rhizomes.

Major species

Great ironweed (Vernonia arkansana) is found in the southern and central United States and is sometimes cultivated as a garden flower. Common ironweed, or prairie ironweed (V. fasciculata) is native to north-central North America and is one of the most frequently encountered ironweed species. Tall, or giant, ironweed (V. gigantea) can reach heights up to 3 metres (10 feet) and is found from New York to Georgia and throughout the Midwestern United States. North American ironweed species readily hybridize with each other.

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Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous

Native to tropical Africa, bitter leaf (V. amygdalina) is an attractive shrub and is used in traditional medicine as an anthelmintic and is also eaten as a vegetable. River vernonia (V. colorata) is another common African species.