Western ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii, Baldwin's or western ironweed, is a tall rhizomatous perennial herb of the aster family (Asteraceae) growing to about 1.2 m. Stems are erect, branched above, round in cross-section, and densely covered with whitish tomentum. The alternate cauline leaves are lanceolate, roughly 15 cm long by 4.5 cm wide, with serrated margins; the upper surface is minutely hairy while the lower surface bears longer, often bent hairs. The showy, flat-topped inflorescence consists of irregularly branched terminal panicles up to 30 cm or more across. Each head bears 17–34 deep pink to purple, five-lobed disc florets (ray florets absent), each 0.3–0.4 inches long. Flowering from May to September, the plant attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while goldfinches consume the seed. It occupies dry prairies, pastures, open ground, and woodland edges from Iowa and Nebraska south through Missouri and Kansas to Texas.