Vernonia noveboracensis | |
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Closeup of flowers | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Vernonia |
Species: | V. noveboracensis |
Binomial name | |
Vernonia noveboracensis | |
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Natural range in North America | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Vernonia noveboracensis, the New York ironweed [3] or vein-leaf hawkweed, is a plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the eastern United States, from Florida to Massachusetts and west to Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia and to southern Ontario. [4]
Vernonia noveboracensis is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on stiff, greenish purple stems. It grows approximately 6 feet tall. The flowers are purple, borne in summer and fall. [5] Ironweed is an herbaceous clumping perennial that will spread by seed. Ironweed can be an aggressive in moist soils. [6] Vernonia noveboracensis has longer stems than other plants in the same genus like Vernonia acaulis. [7] The color of the seed is brown. It grows with multiple stems and at a moderate rate. [3] It is a deciduous plant. [8] The main flower of this plant is made up of florets. The floret clusters are small and compact. Vernonia noveboracensis has a small fruit called an achene that is covered in bristles which allow them to be dispersed by the wind. [9] It takes Vernonia noveboracensis two to five years to reach its maximum height. It can grow through chalk, clay, and loam dirt with acid to alkaline pH level. [10]
Vernonia noveboracensis blooms in August and grows in wetlands and moist soils. [11] Veronia noveboracensis is classified as FAC+ (wetland indicator status). [12] The active growth period is during the summer. The lowest temperature it can survive in is −33 °F (−36 °C). [3] Vernonia noveboracensis competes through its early season growth and tall stem height. [13] Vernonia noveboracensis is not known to be an invasive species. A hard stem also allows the plant to withstand windy conditions. [14] The species is not toxic. [3] This plant attracts butterflies, birds, and other insects but it is resistant to deer. [15]
Dihydromikanolide is a sesquiterpene lactone that is found in Vernonia noveboracensis which is good for infections. [16] Native Americans use the leaves of the Vernonia noveboracensis to make a tea that relieves labor pain used as a blood tonic. The roots of the plants were also made into teas that relieved stomach ulcers and tooth pain. [17]
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