An attractive plant from head to toe. Sizable plant for the back of beds and rain gardens. Host for larvae of moths including ironweed borer moth (Papaipema cerussata) and parthenice tiger toth (Grammia parthenice).
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Curlytop Ironweed
Vernonia arkansana
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Prairie, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June)
Main Color: Purple
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Hummingbird, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Pollinators
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
36 to
48
inches
Spread:
24 to
36
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
48
inches
Spread: 24 to
36
inches
Size
Height: 36 to
48
inches
Spread: 24 to
36
inches
Typical Landscape Use
An excellent species for habitat gardens.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Place taller species in beds where it will help hold up other upright species. Fertile soil can create a monstrous plant.
Special Features
Special Usage
Rainscaping
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.