Collected on September 1, 2005, this specimen was found in a floodplain forest near the Monongahela River in New Eagle, PA (Washington County). Ironweed (which includes many species in the genus Vernonia) is a great plant for native pollinators. Consider adding it to your garden! This species of ironweed, known as “tall ironweed” (Vernonia gigantea), can be 2–7 feet tall (or sometimes more than 10 feet) with beautiful purple flower heads from mid-late summer. Learn more about ironweed (and see it all year long) in Botany Hall at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Botanists at Carnegie Museum of Natural History share pieces of the herbarium’s historical hidden collection on the dates they were discovered or collected. Check back for more!
