New York Ironweed

Vernonia noveboracensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Vernonia
Species:
Vernonia noveboracensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
6-8 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
aug, sep
Bloom Colors:
Red, Purple

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, 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)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)

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 wet meadows and stream banks

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are given a 4-week cool stratification period.

Establishment: Collected at George Washington Memorial Parkway, Dead Run and TRI by J. Englert in 11/95; Great Smoky Mountains National Park, by J. Beeler on 10/21/99 and 10/26/00. Found in low wet woods and marshes, especially near coast.

Source: npn.rngr.net