Tall ironweed
Vernonia angustifolia
Asteraceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Commonly available at native plant nurseries in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in northeast Florida.
Description:
Perennial wildflower up to 3 feet tall with linear leaves and small purple flowers in clusters.
Height:
Typically 3 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Range:
Southern United States south to Pasco, Highlands, and Brevard counties.
Habitats:
Sandhills, open woodlands.
Soils:
Moist to dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to moderate shade.
Flower Color:
Purple.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Summer.
Fruit:
Wildlife and Ecology:
Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. Valuable source of nectar for birds.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.


Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Lilly Anderson-Messec via her Instagram account @lilliumbyrd.