Wingstem
Verbesina alternifolia
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Verbesina
- Species:
- Verbesina alternifolia
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 6-8 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- aug, sep, oct
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Ontario
Keystone Species Ranking
- Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix eupatoriiella, Basilodes pepita, Cremastobombycia ambrosiella, Cremastobombycia ignota, Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), Harris's Cracker (Charidryas harrisii), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), orange oakleaf (Charidryas nycteis), Texan crescent (Anthanassa texana)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus citrinus), Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus citrinus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers habitats like floodplains and moist woodlands