Wingstem (Verbesina Alternifolia)

Features and Characteristics

Verbesina alternifolia commonly called wingstem or yellow ironweed is a tall, weedy, clump-forming perennial that is native to woodland areas in eastern and central North America. In Missouri, it typically occurs in low open or rich woods, wood margins, meadows, thickets and in alluvial soils near streams, sloughs and ditches throughout most of the state (Steyermark). Bright yellow, daisy-like flowers (1-2” diameter) with drooping rays bloom from August to October atop upright, stiff, hairy, winged stems growing 4-8’ tall. Each flower typically features 2-8 narrow, reflexed, bright yellow rays with a slightly darker yellow center disk. Flowers sometimes appear rayless with only disk flowers, hence the common name of yellow ironweed. Sessile or short-stalked, toothed, lanceolate-elliptic leaves (4-12” long) are rough-textured above. Leaf tissue extends beyond the leaf base and down the stems of the plant, hence the common name of wingstem. Seeds are attractive to birds.

Synonymous with and formerly known as Actinomeris alternifolia.

Genus name comes from the plants resemblance to Verbena.

Specific epithet is in reference to the alternate leaf arrangement.