Vernonia gigantea (Walt.) Trel. - Tall Ironweed
Family - Asteraceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Lower leaves.
Inflorescence:
N/A
Involucre:
Ray flowers:
Absent.
Disk flowers:
Flowering - August - November.
Habitat - Low ground, alluvial banks, bottoms, fields, marshes, swamp forests.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This tall species can be found throughout most of Alabama. This is a robust species with a loose, spreading inflorescence.
Plants in Alabama are represented by two subspecies, gigantea and ovalifolia.
The genus is named for William Vernon (16? - 1711). Vernon was an English botanist who studied plants in North America.
The species epithet derives from the Greek "giga(n)" meaning "giant" or "very large".
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Lee Rd 54, Auburn, AL., 10-9-04.