Iron-Weed
Vernonia Noveboracensis. Composite Family.
Stem.--Leafy; usually tall. Leaves.--Alternate; somewhat lance--oblong. Flower--heads.--An intense red--purple; loosely clustered; composed entirely of tubular flowers.
Along the roadsides and low meadows near the coast the iron-weed adds its deep purple hues to the color-pageant of late August. By the uninitiated the plant is often mistaken for an aster, but a moment's inspection will discover that the minute flowers which compose each flower--head are all tubular in shape, and that the ray or strap--shaped blossoms which an aster must have are wanting. These flower--heads are surrounded by an involucre composed of small scales which are tipped with a tiny point and are usually of a purplish color also.