About Vernonia arkansana DC.
Vernonia arkansana DC., commonly called Arkansas ironweed or great ironweed, is a perennial plant species in the Asteraceae family. It is native to the south-central United States. Mature plants grow 1.2–1.8 meters (4–6 feet) tall and spread 0.91–1.22 meters (3–4 feet) wide. Its pink-purple flowers bloom from August to September. The cultivar 'Mammuth' has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. In its ecology, this plant is pollinated by a variety of insects including bees, butterflies, and skippers, which also collect nectar from it. The specialist bee Melissodes vernoniae is a frequent visitor to all Vernonia species, including this one. The aphid Aphis vernoniae is specifically attracted to this plant species and prefers to feed on its sap. Various moth caterpillars also feed on the plant. Birds do not feed on it, due to its hard seeds and the low volume of pollen available that would suit hummingbirds. Herbivorous mammals also avoid the plant because its foliage is bitter.
