giant ironweed
Family
AsteraceaeScientific Name
Vernonia gigantea
Other Common Names:
tall ironweed
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Vernonia altissima
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
purple,
red
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Leaf Shape
lance
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot,
rhizomes present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb