ironweed
noun
iron·weed ˈī(-ə)rn-ˌwēd 
: any of a genus (Vernonia) of mostly weedy composite plants usually having alternate leaves and perfect red, purple, or white tubular flowers in terminal cymose heads
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The diminutive threadleaf ironweed (V. lettermannii) has become one of our favorites at Yew Dell for both foliage texture and bloom. 
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 Aug. 2021 On the other end of the spectrum is the gigantic New York ironweed (V. noveboracensis) that puts those same violet flowers on 7-9-foot tall stems. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 Aug. 2021 These plants were the top species magnets: black willow, a goldenrod named Euthamia graminifolia, Virginia bluebell and New York ironweed. Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021 Monarch butterflies have, for centuries, relied on milkweed and nectar plants—in Oklahoma and Kansas, this includes sunflowers, ironweed, coneflower, and a host of others—to fuel their journey up and down the continent. Nick Martin, The New Republic, 4 Mar. 2021 The Pollinator Habitat Expansion Initiative involves mowing less and planting varieties of milkweed, clover, ironweed, wingstem, columbine, joe pye weed and two-leaved toothwort. USA TODAY, 16 July 2019 Also in bloom are various white and powder blue asters (Aster), lavender-blue mist flower (Conoclinium coelestinum), goldenrod (Solidago), purple ironweed (Vernonia) and many other fall wildflowers. NOLA.com, 4 Nov. 2017 Ironweed Playing the lover of Jack Nicholson’s character, a homeless man who abandoned his family, Streep nabbed another Best Actress nomination in 1988. Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, 22 June 2017 IronweedPlaying the lover of Jack Nicholson’s character, a homeless man who abandoned his family, Streep nabbed another Best Actress nomination in 1988. Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, 22 June 2017 See More
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 Aug. 2021 On the other end of the spectrum is the gigantic New York ironweed (V. noveboracensis) that puts those same violet flowers on 7-9-foot tall stems. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 14 Aug. 2021 These plants were the top species magnets: black willow, a goldenrod named Euthamia graminifolia, Virginia bluebell and New York ironweed. Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021 Monarch butterflies have, for centuries, relied on milkweed and nectar plants—in Oklahoma and Kansas, this includes sunflowers, ironweed, coneflower, and a host of others—to fuel their journey up and down the continent. Nick Martin, The New Republic, 4 Mar. 2021 The Pollinator Habitat Expansion Initiative involves mowing less and planting varieties of milkweed, clover, ironweed, wingstem, columbine, joe pye weed and two-leaved toothwort. USA TODAY, 16 July 2019 Also in bloom are various white and powder blue asters (Aster), lavender-blue mist flower (Conoclinium coelestinum), goldenrod (Solidago), purple ironweed (Vernonia) and many other fall wildflowers. NOLA.com, 4 Nov. 2017 Ironweed Playing the lover of Jack Nicholson’s character, a homeless man who abandoned his family, Streep nabbed another Best Actress nomination in 1988. Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, 22 June 2017 IronweedPlaying the lover of Jack Nicholson’s character, a homeless man who abandoned his family, Streep nabbed another Best Actress nomination in 1988. Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, 22 June 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined above