Vernonia missurica

Vernonia missurica, the Missouri ironweed,[1] is a species of purple-flowered[2] perennial plant from family Asteraceae found growing in the central United States.

Vernonia missurica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Vernonia
Species:
V. missurica
Binomial name
Vernonia missurica
(Walter) Trel.

Description

Plant description

The plant is 3–5 feet (0.91–1.52 m) high and 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) wide,[3] and in some cases the plant can exceed up to 6 feet (1.8 m). The leaves of the plant are dark green in color and alternate.[4]

Flower description

The flowers bloom from July to August,[3] and are magenta colored with reddish-brown bracts. Each flower is from 4-7 inches long and 1/2 inches across, with 30-60 disk florets. They have central stout stem that is covered with white hairs. The flowers grow close to each other and have rayless heads. Their stems are hairy and reddish-brown in color.[4]

Reproduction

The bloom period begins in the late summer and ends in the fall.[5] This is typically visited by long-tongued bees, butterflies and skippers. In the absence of these pollinators, the plant is capable of self pollinating.[6]

Habitat

The plant grows in river bottom woods, wet prairies, fens, and sedge meadows.[7]

Ecology

The plant is pollinated by various bees such as bumblebees, epeoline cuckoo, halictid bees, and miner bees. Butterflies and skippers are also frequent visitors. Some of the caterpillars feed on the plant. The most common guests are Grammia parthenice (Parthenice tiger moth), Perigea xanthioides (red groundling), and Papaipema cerussata (ironweed borer moth). Herbivorous mammals avoid the plant due to their bitter taste.[8]

References
  1. "Vernonia missurica". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  2. Colour
  3. "Vernonia missurica". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  4. "Great Ironweed". Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  5. "Characteristics". 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  6. "Missouri Ironweed". 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  7. "Ironweed (Vernonia missurica)". Michigan.gov. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  8. "Missouri Ironweed". Illinois Wild Flowers.info. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
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