Broadleaf Ironweed
Vernonia glauca
(c) Ashwin Srinivasan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Vernonia
- Species:
- Vernonia glauca
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul, aug, sep
- Bloom Colors:
- White
Native Range
United States: Alabama, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
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
Endopiza vernoniana, green cloverworm moth (Platynota idaeusalis), ironweed borer moth (Papaipema cerussata), ironweed clearwing (Carmenta bassiformis), mugwort plume moth (Hellinsia paleaceus), Parthenice tiger moth (Grammia parthenice), red groundling moth (Perigea xanthioides), Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa), Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli), ⚠️Diana fritillary (Speyeria diana)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats like meadows and prairies