Prairie Ironweed
(Vernonia fasciculata)
Prairie Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)
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aarongunnar
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aarongunnar
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CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: aarongunnar | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: aarongunnar | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-07-29T18:05:48-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Vernonia fasciculata, commonly known as Prairie Ironweed, is a deciduous perennial herb native to moist prairies, meadows, and stream banks in the North-Central United States. It typically grows 2–4 feet (0.61–1.22 meters) tall with erect, unbranched stems that culminate in showy inflorescences with vibrant magenta flowers arranged in a dense corymb, blooming from July to September. The plant’s foliage is lance-shaped and can add texture to garden settings.
Prairie Ironweed is valued for its striking flower display and its ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is winter hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized plantings, and as a border plant due to its height and showy blooms. It is deer-resistant and can tolerate periodic flooding, making it adaptable to wet soils. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires medium to high amounts of water, preferring soils with slow to medium drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can spread aggressively if conditions are ideal, so management may be necessary to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Prairie Ironweed is valued for its striking flower display and its ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is winter hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized plantings, and as a border plant due to its height and showy blooms. It is deer-resistant and can tolerate periodic flooding, making it adaptable to wet soils. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires medium to high amounts of water, preferring soils with slow to medium drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can spread aggressively if conditions are ideal, so management may be necessary to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Width: 1.5-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Moist prairies, meadows, and stream banks
Other Names
Common Names: Smooth Ironweed , Western Ironweed , Bunched Ironweed
Scientific Names: Vernonia fasciculata , Vernonia fasciculata var. fasciculata , Vernonia fasciculata var. corymbosa , Vernonia fasciculata subsp. fasciculata , Vernonia fasciculata subsp. corymbosa , Vernonia corymbosa , Vernonia fasciculata var. nebraskensis , Cacalia corymbosa , Cacalia fasciculata , Plectreca corymbosa
GBIF Accepted Name: Vernonia fasciculata Michx.