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.