Tag Archives: Asteraceae
Know Your Natives – Missouri Ironweed
Missouri ironweed (Vernonia missurica) of the Sunflower or Aster (Asteraceae) family has vivid purple to magenta composite flowerheads in midsummer. The primary area of occurrence extends from western Florida to eastern Texas, north and east to Indiana and southern Michigan. … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Baldwin’s Ironweed
Baldwin’s ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) of the Sunflower or Aster (Asteraceae) family is a tall plant with a vivid purple inflorescence. In the U.S., it occurs principally from central Texas north to Nebraska and Iowa and east to Illinois and Arkansas. … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Wreath Goldenrod
Wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia) of the Aster or Sunflower (Asteraceae) family is one of the smaller goldenrods that occur in Arkansas. In the U.S., it is found from Texas to Wisconsin and thence east to the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Gum plant
Gum plant (Grindelia lanceolata) of the Sunflower (Asteraceae) Family is a viscid (sticky) plant with thick leaves. The genus name recognizes the early 19th-century Russian botanist, David Grindel. The specific epithet refers to the lance-shaped leaves. In the U.S., the … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Hairy Blazing Star
Hairy blazing star (Liatris hirsuta*) of the Aster (Asteraceae) family has vibrant violet to lavender flowers, typical of many species in the genus. In the U.S., hairy blazing star is reported from Texas and northward to Nebraska and Iowa, with … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Jerusalem Artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke* (Helianthus tuberosus) of the Aster (Asteraceae) family is a large, tuber-producing perennial that was an important food source for Native Americans and early settlers. The genus name combines two Greek words for “sun” and “flower”. The specific epithet … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Drummond’s Aster
Drummond’s aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii) of the Aster (Asteraceae) family is a herbaceous perennial with disk flowers that change color with age. Preferred habitats are partially sunny upland sites in open deciduous woodlands and woodland borders along streams and roads. This … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Palafoxia
Palafoxia (Palafoxia callosa) of the Asteraceae (Aster or Composite) family is a drought tolerant annual herb. The genus name recognizes José de Palafox y Melzi (1776–1847), a Spanish officer in the war against Napeoleon. The specific epithet is derived from … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Yellow Leafcup
Yellow leafcup (Smallanthus uvedalius), formerly Polymnia uvedalia, of the Aster (Asteraceae) family is a tall herbaceous perennial with very large petiolate leaves. The genus name honors John Kunkel Small, American botanist and author of Manual of the Southeastern Flora, 1933–still … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – White Leafcup
White leafcup (Polymnia canadensis) of the Aster (Asteraceae) Family is a coarse, short-lived perennial. The genus name is in reference to the Greek Muse Polymnia (also spelled Polyhymnia), goddess of music, song and dance. The specific epithet refers to the … Continue reading
