Common Name: wingstem, yellow ironweedScientific Name: Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britt. ex Kearney syn. Actinomeris alternifoliaFamily Name: Asteraceae (Compositae) - Aster or Sunflower FamilyIdentification NotesLife Cycleintroduced perennial, reproducing by seed and rhizomes Stemsupright, tall, multiply from base and branching above, strongly winged, scattered white hairs Leavesalternate, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, base tapering and sessile, extend down stem to form wings, margins sharp toothed and often turn downward, dark green and rough above, lighter green and less rough below with white hairs on veins Flowersheads of bright yellow rays (ligulate) florets around center of yellow or greenish yellow disk (tubulate) florets, ray florets less than ten which angled downward and appear drooping, disk florets become round with age; terminal clusters, loose FruitImages of fruit of Wingstem