Fauna
Plant

Narrow Leaf Ironweed

Vernonia angustifolia

Also known as Slender Ironweed, Narrow-leaved Ironweed

Narrowleaf ironweed sends up slender, wand-like stems crowned with rich magenta flowerheads throughout the peak heat of late summer. Adapted to the fire-maintained pine savannas and sandy flatwoods of the southeastern Coastal Plain, its extensive root system allows it to resprout readily following surface burns. The disc florets produce copious amounts of nectar, providing a vital late-season food station for monarch butterflies, swallowtails, and native bees.

WildflowerDrought TolerantPollinator Magnet
Narrow Leaf Ironweed reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • White-tailed deer
  • Insect stem borers
  • Grasshoppers
ThreatsFire suppression, land development, and forestry conversion
HabitatsLongleaf pine sandhills, savannas, flatwoods, and sandy roadsides
Life spanPerennial (5–15 years)
Classification
  1. FamilyAsteraceae
  2. SpeciesVernonia angustifolia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Timing: Look for vibrant purple blooms appearing between July and October.
  • Identification: Check for distinctly thin, needle-like leaves crowded along the stem.
  • Gardening: Plant in sunny, well-drained sandy borders to attract foraging butterflies.
Related species
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