Verbesina alternifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is commonly known as wingstem[2] or yellow ironweed.[3] It is native to North America.[2]
The name "wingstem" refers to the petioles of the leaves, which run down the stem and form raised ridges or "wings" along it.[4] The plant grows 3-8 feet tall with an unbranched stem until reaching the inflorescence at the very top.[5] Its yellow flower heads, which bloom in late summer through early fall, are 1-2 inches wide and consist of up to 10 bright yellow ray florets that are angled downward, each bearing a notch at the end, as well as a spherical cluster of tubular yellow disk florets in the center.[6]
Ecology
This plant grows in fertile, moist low-lying areas, such as near creeks and in open bottomland woods, usually not far from a body of water or woodland.[5][7] The tubular disk florets in the center of every flower head attract long-tongued bees such as bumblebees and butterflies, while being less attractive to shorter-tongued insects like wasps and flies.[5]
Verbesina alternifolia is sometimes considered weedy.[8] It thrives and competes well in both disturbed and less disturbed habitats, and often forms colonies by spreading vegetatively from rhizomes.
The seeds are attractive food for birds.[9] The foliage is not preferred food by deer and other herbivores.[5][10]
^Carter, Richard; Morris, M. Wayne; Bryson, Charles T. (1990). "Some Rare or Otherwise Interesting Vascular Plants from the Delta Region of Mississippi". Castanea. 55 (1): 43.
