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Native Plant Database

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Vernonia gigantea ssp. gigantea (Giant ironweed)
Rechentin, C.A.

Vernonia gigantea ssp. gigantea (Walt.) Trel.

Giant ironweed, Tall ironweed

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Vernonia altissima

USDA Symbol: VEGIG

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A tall, clump-forming perennial, growing 5-8 ft. tall. Slightly rough stems bear lance-shaped, deep-green leaves. Small flower heads occur in loosely branched, terminal clusters. Flowers are all of the disk type and reddish-purple.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: W. NY to e. NE, s. to SC, GA & LA
Native Habitat: Low, open woods; alluvial areas; prairies; marsh & swamp borders
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Moist to wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Longwood Gardens - Newark, DE

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Vernonia gigantea ssp. gigantea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Vernonia gigantea ssp. gigantea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vernonia gigantea ssp. gigantea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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