Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

tall ironweed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Vernonia gigantea

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

4-6 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

purple

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Back of a moist wildflower garden. Can also use on the edges of natural or created wetlands and streams.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Seed or division. Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Nectar attracts butterflies and native beens. 





Larval host for spring azure butterfly.

Native Habitats:

Exposed sand and gravel bars of streams during low water, stream banks, hydric to wet mesic pine flatwoods. Rich soils. Ruderal.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The genus name honors the English botanist William Vernon, who did fieldwork in North America.