Missouri Ironweed
(Vernonia missurica)
Missouri Ironweed (Vernonia missurica)
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Quinten Wiegersma
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Quinten Wiegersma
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Quinten Wiegersma | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Quinten Wiegersma | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-08-31T15:28:49-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Vernonia missurica, commonly known as Missouri Ironweed, is a perennial herb native to floodplains, moist prairies, and stream banks in the central United States. It typically grows to a height of 90–150 cm (3–5 ft) and a width of 90–120 cm (3–4 ft). The plant has a clumping form with stiff, upright stems and dark green, lanceolate leaves that are arranged alternately. From July to August, it produces showy clusters of magenta flowers with reddish-brown bracts. Each flower head is 100–180 mm (4–7 in) long and 15 mm (1⁄2 in) across, containing 30–60 disk florets. The flowers are rayless and attract long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers for pollination, though the plant can self-pollinate in their absence.
Missouri Ironweed is valued for its vibrant flowers and ability to attract pollinators, making it a popular choice for native plant gardens, rain gardens, and wildlife habitats. It is also used for naturalizing in moist areas. This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it is adaptable to a range of soil moisture conditions, from medium to wet. It is important to note that Missouri Ironweed can spread aggressively by self-seeding, so management may be necessary to prevent unwanted spread in garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Missouri Ironweed is valued for its vibrant flowers and ability to attract pollinators, making it a popular choice for native plant gardens, rain gardens, and wildlife habitats. It is also used for naturalizing in moist areas. This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it is adaptable to a range of soil moisture conditions, from medium to wet. It is important to note that Missouri Ironweed can spread aggressively by self-seeding, so management may be necessary to prevent unwanted spread in garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 3-6 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Floodplains, moist prairies, and stream banks in the central United States
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Vernonia missurica, Vernonia drummondii, Vernonia missurica f. carnea, Vernonia missurica f. swinkii, Vernonia aborigina, Vernonia missurica var. austroriparia, Vernonia michiganensis, Vernonia missurica f. missurica, Vernonia missurica var. missurica
GBIF Accepted Name: Vernonia missurica Raf.