Veronia gigantea - Tall Ironweed
Tall Ironweed (Veronia gigantea) is a tall, perennial plant that usually grows unbranched except near the inflorescence. It grows from 3 to 7 feet tall. The central stem is light green to purplish-green and ranges from nearly glabrous to pubescent. The leaves are alternate and densely to moderately distributed along the stem, spreading widely in all directions. The leaves are 2.5" wide and up to 9" long, narrowly ovate, lanceolate-oblong, or elliptic in shape. The leaf margins are serrated. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green and glabrous while the lower surface is lighter green and glabrous to somewhat hairy. The leaf base may have a short petiole or it may be sessile. This plant is known to be highly variable in its range and has also been known to hybridize with other Veronia species.
The central stem terminates in a broad flowerhead that spans from 6" to 16" across. The corolla is magenta with 5 recurved narrow lobes. The exerted style is bifurcated and strongly recurved. Tall Ironweed blooms from late summer to early fall and is usually present for 4 to 6 weeks.
It is found in open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, swamps, river bottom prairies, pastures and abandoned fields. It is common in much of the eastern US.
The flower nectar attracts bees, butterflies, and skippers. The caterpillars of various moths feed on this plant. Other insects have also been observed to feed on this plant as well. The foliage is bitter, so mammals tend to avoid it. Native Americans used the leaves and roots to make a tea that was used during pregnancy and childbirth to relieve pain.
The central stem terminates in a broad flowerhead that spans from 6" to 16" across. The corolla is magenta with 5 recurved narrow lobes. The exerted style is bifurcated and strongly recurved. Tall Ironweed blooms from late summer to early fall and is usually present for 4 to 6 weeks.
It is found in open woodlands, woodland borders, thickets, swamps, river bottom prairies, pastures and abandoned fields. It is common in much of the eastern US.
The flower nectar attracts bees, butterflies, and skippers. The caterpillars of various moths feed on this plant. Other insects have also been observed to feed on this plant as well. The foliage is bitter, so mammals tend to avoid it. Native Americans used the leaves and roots to make a tea that was used during pregnancy and childbirth to relieve pain.