ironweed

[ ahy-ern-weed ]

noun

1. any of certain North American composite plants of the genus Vernonia, having tubular, chiefly purple or red disk flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ironweed¹

First recorded in 1810–20; iron + weed ¹

Example Sentences

When I arrived, the meadow burned purple with ironweed.

From Salon

They grow assorted milkweeds, asters, elderberry, mountain mint, joe-pye weed, goldenrods, white snakeroot and ironweed.

From New York Times

They will use the sun to figure out the direction, and they will fill up on nectar from aster, ironweed and daisy flowers.

From Washington Post

Walking into the middle of the prairie, with cup plants, compass plants and ironweed around her, Chambers declared it to be her favorite spot.

From Washington Times

So far at Chief Logan, Cole has created 2 1/4 acres of pollinator habitat by planting three varieties of milkweed, several species of clover, ironweed, wingstem, columbine, joe pye weed and two-leaved toothwort.

From Washington Times