Ironweed, color of high Summer (Vernonia gigantea ). During this part of the Prairie summer.
Ironweed stands out with its remarkable bright deep purple to magenta color. I always look forward
to seeing it with much anticipation. A member of the Aster family. Native to North America, with
alternate leaves, tall purple stem, in moist meadows more than two meters.

| see also the photograph and poem from last year September, Ironweed with bee |


(Photograph was made saturday, the 10th of August, 2002)