Missouri ironweed

Vernonia missurica

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Courtesy: Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=11484

Photo Credit: http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/images/pics/ast/vernonia_missurica.htm

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Grassland, Woodland, Variable

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Maintenance

Spreads by rhizomes, Summer: deadhead to prolong blooming or leave seeds for wildlife. May require thinning by root division, dormant in winter

Comments

The erect, coarse tall coneflower grows 2 1/2-5 feet tall and usually forms colonies. The stem and leaves have rough hairs. Honey bees, bugs, butterflies, and beetles feed on the nectar and pollen. Endemic to North America.

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2 to

5 ft

Spread

1 to

3 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Moths, Bees

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Vernonia aborigina

References

1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VEMI2; 2) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=38643#null; 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=4757&locationType=County&mapType=Normal

Native Plant Society of Texas