Vernonia noveboracensis, the New York ironweed[3] or vein-leaf hawkweed, is a plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the eastern United States, from Florida to Massachusetts and west to Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia and to southern Ontario.[4]
Description
Vernonia noveboracensis is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on stiff, greenish purple stems. It grows approximately 6 feet tall. The flowers are purple, borne in summer and fall.[5] Ironweed is an herbaceous clumping perennial that will spread by seed. Ironweed can be an aggressive in moist soils.[6]Vernonia noveboracensis has longer stems than other plants in the same genus like Vernonia acaulis.[7] The color of the seed is brown. It grows with multiple stems and at a moderate rate.[3] It is a deciduous plant.[8] The main flower of this plant is made up of florets. The floret clusters are small and compact. Vernonia noveboracensis has a small fruit called an achene that is covered in bristles which allow them to be dispersed by the wind.[9] It takes Vernonia noveboracensis two to five years to reach its maximum height. It can grow through chalk, clay, and loam dirt with pH level.[10]
Ecology
Vernonia noveboracensis blooms in August and grows in wetlands and moist soils.[11]Veronia noveboracensis is classified as FAC+ (wetland indicator status).[12] The active growth period is during the summer. The lowest temperature it can survive in is −33 °F (−36 °C).[3]Vernonia noveboracensis competes through its early season growth and tall stem height.[13]Vernonia noveboracensis is not known to be an invasive species. A hard stem also allows the plant to withstand windy conditions.[14] The species is not toxic.[3] This plant attracts butterflies, birds, and other insects but it is resistant to deer.[15]
Uses
Dihydromikanolide is a sesquiterpene lactone that is found in Vernonia noveboracensis which is good for infections.[16] Native Americans use the leaves of the Vernonia noveboracensis to make a tea that relieves labor pain used as a blood tonic. The roots of the plants were also made into teas that relieved stomach ulcers and tooth pain.[17]
^Martin, Alexander C. (1972). Weeds. Racine, Wisconsin: Western Publishing Company. p. 116.
^Jones Jr, Samuel B. "Hybridization of Vernonia acaulis and V. noveboracensis (Compositae) in the Piedmont of North Carolina." Castanea (1972): 244-253.
