Vernonia lettermannii
Information courtesy of Magna Vista High School students
Vernonia lettermannii, "Ironweed," is a perennial wildflower named after George W. Letterman. He was a recluse and botanist who spent his days searching for rare plants in the Missouri, Ozarks.
Ironweed flourishes in the late summer. It will begin to bloom small clusters of royal purple flowers. Butterflies and other pollinators flock to the florets. This species thrives in dry open woods or in sunny gardens, with average well drained soil. It is usually 2 to 3 feet in height.
Identification
Alternate Leaf Arrangement
Entire Edges
Parallel Venation
Acuminate Apex
Subulate Shape
Compound
Family: Asteraceae
Chrysanthemums
Zinnias
Status: Not endangered, common in the U.S.
Native: Introduced to Arkansas was the first place it was discovered in America
Origin: Originally from Eastern Africa
Scientific name: Vernonia lettermannii
Common Names:
Narrow-leaf Ironweed
Iron Butterfly Ironweed
Insects:
Butterflies, they even helped to name this flower
Bees, which help to pollinate the plant
Caterpillars of some moths
Niche: Ironweed is a very common plant in the western states, growing in the woods and prairies, and along river streams, and flowering from July to September. This plant plays a very important ecological role. It attracts butterflies and provides them with nectar. If the plant was to be demolished or gotten rid of, most butterfly populations would decrease dramatically.
Ironweed Uses
Some of the products that can be made from vernonia include adhesives, varnishes and paints, and industrial coatings, and can be used as a solvent in oil-based paints. Some different types of vernonia have been said to be used for medical purposes
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/646/#b
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0305197887900585
http://www.newmoonnursery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantdetail/plant_ID/520/index.htm
https://www.britannica.com/plant/Asteraceae
http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/vernonia.html
