Giant ironweed

Giant ironweed in the wilderness of Alabama - Photo: Still Gravity.
Blooming giant ironweed - License our images here.

Vernonia gigantea is known as ironweed for the toughness of its stems. It's related to the sunflower family - pollen of the family Asteraceae was found from 76–66 million years ago. This dweller of North America blooms purple flowers between July and September. Cattle don't this plant, but butterflies and bees love it. We took the picture in Talladega National Forest. 

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