Plains Ironweed

Vernonia marginata

Native to:
Mexico, United States
Plains Ironweed

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Vernonia
Species:
Vernonia marginata
USDA Symbol:
VEMA2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
120 cm
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jul,aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
purple, pink

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees, birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rootstock following fire; typical of prairie ironweeds.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate best with cold stratification and light exposure.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI