Vernonia flaccidifolia

Common Names

Tennessee Ironweed, Ironweed, Woodland Ironweed

Summary

Vernonia flaccidifolia, commonly known as Tennessee ironweed, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae native to upland deciduous forests of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee in the southeastern United States, it has alternate, simple broad leaves with dentate margins and petiolate bases, an upright vase-shaped habit reaching about 5.5 to 7.5 feet, and smooth, waxy stems colored maroon to smoky purple, flowering occurs in August, with terminal inflorescences composed of numerous pink to purple flower heads that have five fused petals, foliage shows sunken veins giving a wrinkled appearance, flower heads are small compared with other ironweeds but numerous, contributing to some of the largest inflorescences observed, in cultivation, it grows in xeric to mesic mineral soils with alkaline pH on calcareous rock such as limestone, and may tolerate partial shade and drier conditions, it is virtually nonexistent in commercial trade despite its beauty, Mt. Cuba Center trial noted it is not a top performer, but shade tolerance could make it a viable option for partial shade or dry-site gardens, providing a tall, airy presence with blooms in pink to purple.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

5.5-7.5 feet

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Alkaline, dry soil

Soil Drainage

Dry soil conditions

Soil pH

Alkaline

Bloom Color

Pink and Purple

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Not specified

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer