Vernonia baldwinii
baldwin's ironweed, western ironweed, ironweed
Family
Asteraceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate, cauline
Leaf Attachment
petiolate
Leaf Margin
serrate
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
elliptic, lanceolate, ovate
Growth Form
forb
Flower Color
pink, purple
Flower Month
June - November
Height (meters)
0.6 - 1.5
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Wetland Class
UPL
Cultural Information
Best planted in natural areas and large meadows where large colonies can be appreciated. Can be rampant colonizer when planted in garden soils. Roots travel in all directions from plant about one foot deep. Difficult to control once plant is well established. Bloom period lasts from summer until frost.
Animal Use
Serves as a special value to native bees and attracts birds and butterflies. The plant is extremely bitter, and by preference is not grazed by livestock.
Habitat
Disturbed sites, open woods, fields, rocky or sandy soils.