Aster Family The leaves of Joe Pye Weed are whorled around the stem. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways
Aster Family These flowers are composites, note the tiny individual flowers in different blooming stages, the buds (right), and the brown developing seeds (lower left). The brilliant purple adds beautiful color to late summer and early fall fields and roadsides. This Ironweed plant was blooming at Cove Lake State Park in late August. The "butterfly" is a Silver-spotted Skipper. Skippers have down-turned knobs on their antennae, butterflies have rounded or cylindrical knobs. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, widespread
Aster Family These flowers are composites, note the tiny individual flowers. The brilliant purple adds beautiful color to late summer and early fall fields and roadsides. This Ironweed plant was blooming at Cove Lake State Park in late August. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, widespread Formerly known as: Vernonia altissima
