Plant Preference/Growing Conditions: The Ironweed enjoys clay, Loam, and sandy soil while getting full sunlight. It does need moist soil in order to grow fully

Growth Habit/Description:

It grows 4-6 feet tall and needs 18 inches of spacing around it. It has a fibrous root system and is described as a "aggressive spreader" due to the amount of seeds it produces and spreads. 

Bloom Season:

The bloom season is late summer and early fall: July, August, September 

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes, Likes blooming in very early fall.

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes,  The host plant for the Ironweed Borer moth, and several larval host plats for Vanessa virginianuses (American Lady). 

Other Known Ecological Value?

It is a good pollinator in general, enjoyed by: butterflies, and other pollinators, and it is deer resistant. 

Origin of Name:  Some say it got its name is due to the seed heads appearing to be the color of rusted iron after blooming.

Related Plant Species:   Other Vernonia species, ex:  Vernonia gigantea. Vernonia gigantea (gaint ironweed) grows taller than that Ironweed, gigantea grows from 3-9 feet tall. Vernonia is apart of the sunflower family while the typcal ironweed is apart of the daisy family.  

Use For Food/Medicine: 

Yes, Native Americans used it for making teas. These teas were used to help treat female problems including: relief from the pain of childbirth, and as a blood tonic. The roots of this plant were used to treat loose teeth, stomach ulcers, and hemorrhaging. 

“Ironweed, Missouri ironweed - Native Plants and Ecosystem Services.” MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, https://www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/plant_facts/ironweed_missouri_ironweed . Accessed 17 September 2023.\

“Ironweed - Vernonia fasciculata.” Prairie Nursery, http://prairienursery.com/ironweed-vernonia-fasciculata.html . Accessed 17 September 2023.

Johnson, Terry W. “Out My Backdoor: Ironweed, a Native Beauty | Department Of Natural Resources Division.” Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, https://georgiawildlife.com/out-my-backdoor-ironweed-native-beauty . Accessed 17 September 2023.

Lobstein, Marion. “New York Ironweed (Vernonia Noveboracensis) - Prince William Wildflower Society.” Virginia Native Plant Society, https://vnps.org/princewilliamwildflowersociety/botanizing-with-marion/new-york-ironweed-vernonia-noveboracensis/ . Accessed 17 September 2023.

Chayka, K., and Peter M. Dziuk. “Vernonia fasciculata (Prairie Ironweed).” Minnesota Wildflowers, https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/prairie-ironweed . Accessed 20 September 2023. 

Last edited by Christine Dunning, September 2023.