339 Species in Genus Vernonia

March 29 – Vernonia
"Vernonia, the ironweed, defines March 29."
Vernonia symbolizes strength and resilience. You are determined and steadfast, facing life’s challenges with unwavering resolve.

My Fascination with the Vernonia Genus

As a botanist, I’ve always been drawn to the diversity and resilience of the plant world. One genus that particularly fascinates me is Vernonia, a group of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. You might know them better as ironweeds. These plants are tough, adaptable, and display a beauty that I find both subtle and striking.

A Diverse and Widespread Genus

Vernonia is a large genus, boasting hundreds of species. They are found across a wide range of habitats, from North and South America to Africa and Southeast Asia. This geographical diversity speaks to their ability to thrive in various conditions. Some species prefer open grasslands, while others flourish in woodlands or even disturbed areas. This adaptability is a testament to their hardiness and evolutionary success.

Distinctive Characteristics

What sets Vernonia apart? For me, it’s a combination of factors. Their flowers, often in shades of purple, are arranged in dense clusters called corymbs or panicles. These inflorescences create a visual impact, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. The leaves of Vernonia plants also exhibit variety, ranging from narrow and lance-shaped to broader and ovate. Some species even have toothed or lobed leaves, adding to their visual interest.

But beyond their aesthetic appeal, Vernonia species have a long history of use in traditional medicine and even as food sources in some cultures. This adds another layer to my fascination with this genus – the intersection of beauty, resilience, and practical utility.

Exploring the Species

1. Vernonia acaulis Gleason
2. Vernonia acrophila Merr.
3. Vernonia actaea J.Kost.
4. Vernonia adenocephala S.Moore
5. Vernonia × adulteriana Thell.
6. Vernonia alamanii DC.
7. Vernonia albifolia J.Kost.
8. Vernonia albosquama Y.L.Chen
9. Vernonia alleizettei Humbert
10. Vernonia alticola G.V.Pope
11. Vernonia amboinensis J.Kost.
12. Vernonia ambolensis Humbert
13. Vernonia ambrensis Humbert
14. Vernonia amoena S.Moore
15. Vernonia ampandrandavensis Humbert
16. Vernonia anandrioides S.Moore
17. Vernonia andapensis Humbert
18. Vernonia andohii C.D.Adams
19. Vernonia angustifolia Michx.
20. Vernonia annamensis S.Moore
21. Vernonia antunesii O.Hoffm.
22. Vernonia aosteana Buscal. & Muschl.
23. Vernonia apoensis Elmer
24. Vernonia arabica F.G.Davies
25. Vernonia areysiana Deflers
26. Vernonia arkansana DC.
27. Vernonia aschersonii Sch.Bip.
28. Vernonia aschersonioides Chiov.
29. Vernonia baillonii Scott Elliot
30. Vernonia balansae Gagnep.
31. Vernonia baldwinii Torr. Plant FAQs: Vernonia Baldwinii
32. Vernonia bambilorensis Berhaut
33. Vernonia bauchiensis Hutch. & Dalziel
34. Vernonia bayensis Thulin & Beentje
35. Vernonia bealliae McVaugh
36. Vernonia beddomei Hook.f.
37. Vernonia benguetensis Elmer
38. Vernonia betsilensis Drake
39. Vernonia betsimisaraka Humbert
40. Vernonia bipontini Vatke
41. Vernonia blodgettii Small
42. Vernonia bojeri Less.
43. Vernonia bolleana Sch.Bip.
44. Vernonia bonapartei Gagnep.
45. Vernonia bontocensis Merr.
46. Vernonia borneensis Miq.
47. Vernonia bottae Jaub. & Spach
48. Vernonia brachytrichoides C.Jeffrey
49. Vernonia brazzavillensis Aubrév. ex Compère
50. Vernonia brideliifolia O.Hoffm.
51. Vernonia britteniana Hiern
52. Vernonia bruceae C.Jeffrey
53. Vernonia bruceana Wild
54. Vernonia buchingeri Sch.Bip. ex Steetz
55. Vernonia bulo-burtiensis Mesfin
56. Vernonia calulu Hiern
57. Vernonia campicola S.Moore
58. Vernonia capituliflora Miq.
59. Vernonia carnea Hiern
60. Vernonia carnotiana Humbert
61. Vernonia cephalophora Oliv.
62. Vernonia chapmanii C.D.Adams
63. Vernonia chevalieri Gagnep.
64. Vernonia chiliocephala O.Hoffm.
65. Vernonia cleanthoides O.Hoffm.
66. Vernonia clinopodioides O.Hoffm.
67. Vernonia cockburniana Balf.f.
68. Vernonia coerulea J.Kost.
69. Vernonia colorata (Willd.) Drake
70. Vernonia × concinna Gleason
71. Vernonia confusa Redonda-Mart., Villaseñor & A.Campos
72. Vernonia congolensis De Wild. & Muschl.
73. Vernonia corchoroides Muschl.
74. Vernonia coronata J.Kost.
75. Vernonia cryptocephala Baker
76. Vernonia cylindrica Sch.Bip. ex Walp.
77. Vernonia cymosa Blume
78. Vernonia dalettiensis Mesfin
79. Vernonia daphnifolia O.Hoffm.
80. Vernonia decaryana Humbert
81. Vernonia delapsa Baker
82. Vernonia dembocola Kalanda
83. Vernonia devredii Kalanda
84. Vernonia dewildemaniana Muschl.
85. Vernonia didessana Mesfin
86. Vernonia dissimilis Gleason
87. Vernonia diversifolia Bojer ex DC.
88. Vernonia divulgata S.Moore
89. Vernonia djalonensis A.Chev. ex Hutch. & Dalziel
90. Vernonia dranensis S.Moore
91. Vernonia drymaria Klatt
92. Vernonia durifolia J.Kost.
93. Vernonia duvigneaudii Kalanda
94. Vernonia echioides Less.
95. Vernonia elmeri Merr.
96. Vernonia evrardiana Kalanda
97. Vernonia excelsa Jongkind
98. Vernonia extranea S.Moore
99. Vernonia eylesii S.Moore
100. Vernonia fasciculata Michx. Plant FAQs: Ironweed – Vernonia Fasciculata
101. Vernonia faustiana (Chapm.) B.L.Turner
102. Vernonia fimbrillata J.Kost.
103. Vernonia fischeri O.Hoffm.
104. Vernonia flaccidifolia Small
105. Vernonia floresiana J.Kost.
106. Vernonia forbesii S.Moore
107. Vernonia fractiflexa Wild
108. Vernonia friisii Mesfin
109. Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less.
110. Vernonia ganevii D.J.N.Hind
111. Vernonia × georgiana Bartlett
112. Vernonia gertii Dematt.
113. Vernonia gigantea (Walter) Trel.
114. Vernonia gilbertii Mesfin
115. Vernonia glandulifolia Merr.
116. Vernonia glauca Willd.
117. Vernonia goetzenii O.Hoffm.
118. Vernonia gofensis O.Hoffm.
119. Vernonia golungensis Welw. ex Mendonça
120. Vernonia gossweileri S.Moore
121. Vernonia graniticola G.V.Pope
122. Vernonia greggii A.Gray
123. Vernonia griseopapposa G.V.Pope
124. Vernonia guadalupensis A.Heller
125. Vernonia hamata Klatt
126. Vernonia helenae Buscal. & Muschl.
127. Vernonia helferi Hook.f.
128. Vernonia helodea Wild
129. Vernonia hispidula Drake
130. Vernonia holstii O.Hoffm.
131. Vernonia homollei Humbert
132. Vernonia huillensis Hiern
133. Vernonia humillima Humbert
134. Vernonia hyalina C.E.C.Fisch.
135. Vernonia ianthina Muschl.
136. Vernonia ikongensis Humbert
137. Vernonia inanis S.Moore
138. Vernonia incana Less.
139. Vernonia isalensis Humbert
140. Vernonia ischnophylla Muschl.
141. Vernonia isoetifolia Wild
142. Vernonia jaegeri C.D.Adams
143. Vernonia joyaliae B.L.Turner
144. Vernonia junghuhniana J.Kost.
145. Vernonia kabaensis J.Kost.
146. Vernonia kamerunensis Mattf.
147. Vernonia kandtii Muschl.
148. Vernonia kapirensis De Wild.
149. Vernonia kapolowensis Kalanda
150. Vernonia karvinskiana DC.
151. Vernonia kasaiensis Kalanda
152. Vernonia kawoziensis F.G.Davies
153. Vernonia kayuniana G.V.Pope
154. Vernonia kenteocephala Baker
155. Vernonia kigomae C.Jeffrey
156. Vernonia klattii MacLeish
157. Vernonia klossii S.Moore
158. Vernonia kradungensis H.Koyama
159. Vernonia lafukensis S.Moore
160. Vernonia lamii J.Kost.
161. Vernonia lancifolia Merr.
162. Vernonia larseniae B.L.King & S.B.Jones
163. Vernonia latisquamata (Humbert) Humbert
164. Vernonia lavandulifolia Muschl. ex De Wild.
165. Vernonia leandrii Humbert
166. Vernonia ledermannii Mattf.
167. Vernonia ledocteana P.A.Duvign. & Van Bockstal
168. Vernonia lemurica Humbert
169. Vernonia leonensis Cabrera
170. Vernonia leptanthus Klatt
171. Vernonia letlensis J.Kost.
172. Vernonia lettermannii Engelm. ex A.Gray
173. Vernonia limosa O.Hoffm.
174. Vernonia lindheimeri A.Gray & Engelm.
175. Vernonia lisowskii Kalanda
176. Vernonia loandensis S.Moore
177. Vernonia longibracteata S.Ortiz & Rodr.Oubiña
178. Vernonia lualabaensis De Wild.
179. Vernonia luhomeroensis Q.Luke & Beentje
180. Vernonia lundiensis (Hutch.) Wild & G.V.Pope
181. Vernonia luxuriosa J.Kost.
182. Vernonia lycioides Wild
183. Vernonia macrachaenia Gagnep.
184. Vernonia madefacta Wild
185. Vernonia mandrarensis Humbert
186. Vernonia manongarivensis Humbert
187. Vernonia marginata (Torr.) Raf.
188. Vernonia marojejyensis Humbert
189. Vernonia mastersii Wall. ex Kanjilal, P.C.Kanjilal & Das
190. Vernonia mazzocchii-alemannii Chiov.
191. Vernonia mecistophylla Baker
192. Vernonia meeboldii W.W.Sm.
193. Vernonia melanocoma C.Jeffrey
194. Vernonia mesogramme O.Hoffm.
195. Vernonia miamensis S.Moore
196. Vernonia mikumiensis C.Jeffrey
197. Vernonia milanjiana S.Moore
198. Vernonia mildbraedii Muschl.
199. Vernonia mindanaensis Merr.
200. Vernonia miombicola Wild
201. Vernonia miombicoloides C.Jeffrey
202. Vernonia missurica Raf. Plant FAQs: Missouri Ironweed – Vernonia Missurica
203. Vernonia mogadoxensis Chiov.
204. Vernonia moluccensis Miq.
205. Vernonia monantha Humbert
206. Vernonia moritziana Sch.Bip.
207. Vernonia mossambicensis Buscal. & Muschl.
208. Vernonia muelleri Wild
209. Vernonia mumpullensis Hiern
210. Vernonia mushituensis Wild
211. Vernonia mutimushii Wild
212. Vernonia najas Wild
213. Vernonia napus O.Hoffm.
214. Vernonia neocoursiana Humbert
215. Vernonia neoperrieriana Humbert
216. Vernonia nepetifolia Wild
217. Vernonia neumanniana O.Hoffm.
218. Vernonia newbouldii Beentje & Mesfin
219. Vernonia noveboracensis (L.) Michx. Plant FAQs: Vernonia Noveboracensis – New York Ironweed
220. Vernonia nuxioides O.Hoffm. & Muschl.
221. Vernonia occulta Redonda-Mart. & Mora-Jarvio
222. Vernonia ochyrae Lisowski
223. Vernonia orchidorrhiza Welw. ex Hiern
224. Vernonia orgyalis S.Moore
225. Vernonia ornata S.Moore
226. Vernonia otophora Mattf.
227. Vernonia pachyclada Baker
228. Vernonia pandurata Link
229. Vernonia papillosissima Chiov.
230. Vernonia papuana Lauterb.
231. Vernonia parapetersii C.Jeffrey
232. Vernonia parryae C.E.C.Fisch.
233. Vernonia patentissima J.Kost.
234. Vernonia pellegrinii Humbert ex Basse
235. Vernonia phanerophlebia Merr.
236. Vernonia phillipsiae S.Moore
237. Vernonia phlomoides Muschl.
238. Vernonia pierrei Gagnep.
239. Vernonia pinarensis Kitan.
240. Vernonia platylepis Drake
241. Vernonia plumbaginifolia Fenzl
242. Vernonia poggeana O.Hoffm.
243. Vernonia polyantha Warb.
244. Vernonia popeana C.Jeffrey
245. Vernonia potamophila Klatt
246. Vernonia praticola S.Moore
247. Vernonia prolifera Decne.
248. Vernonia pseudoappendiculata Humbert
249. Vernonia pseudojugalis Muschl.
250. Vernonia pulchella Small
251. Vernonia pulgarensis Elmer
252. Vernonia pygmaea O.Hoffm.
253. Vernonia quangensis O.Hoffm.
254. Vernonia raui Uniyal
255. Vernonia recurvata G.M.Barroso
256. Vernonia reinwardtiana de Vriese & Miq. ex Miq.
257. Vernonia retifolia S.Moore
258. Vernonia revoluta Buch.-Ham.
259. Vernonia rhodanthoidea Muschl.
260. Vernonia rhodophylla O.Hoffm.
261. Vernonia robecchiana Muschl.
262. Vernonia robinsonii Wild
263. Vernonia roseoviolacea De Wild.
264. Vernonia rubens Wild
265. Vernonia rufuensis Muschl.
266. Vernonia rupicola Ridl.
267. Vernonia ruvungatundu C.Jeffrey
268. Vernonia ruwenzoriensis S.Moore
269. Vernonia sabulosa Beentje & Mesfin
270. Vernonia saigonensis Gagnep.
271. Vernonia sakalava Humbert
272. Vernonia sambiranensis (Humbert) Humbert
273. Vernonia sangka Kerr
274. Vernonia sapinii De Wild.
275. Vernonia scaettae Humbert & Staner
276. Vernonia schlechteri O.Hoffm.
277. Vernonia schliebenii Mattf.
278. Vernonia schubotziana Muschl.
279. Vernonia schweinfurthii Oliv. & Hiern
280. Vernonia sclerophylla O.Hoffm.
281. Vernonia scoparia O.Hoffm.
282. Vernonia sechellensis Baker
283. Vernonia sengana S.Moore
284. Vernonia sericolepis O.Hoffm.
285. Vernonia seyrigii Humbert
286. Vernonia shabaensis Kalanda
287. Vernonia shankarii R.Kr.Singh, Ch.S.Reddy & Sanjeet Kumar
288. Vernonia sidamensis O.Hoffm.
289. Vernonia solweziensis Wild
290. Vernonia spathulata Hochst. ex Sch.Bip.
291. Vernonia speiracephala Baker
292. Vernonia spenceriana Muschl.
293. Vernonia sphacelata Klatt
294. Vernonia stuhlmannii O.Hoffm.
295. Vernonia subacaulis Gagnep.
296. Vernonia subdentata J.Kost.
297. Vernonia subplumosa O.Hoffm.
298. Vernonia subscandens R.E.Fr.
299. Vernonia subsimplex Miq.
300. Vernonia subtilis J.Kost.
301. Vernonia sumbavensis J.Kost.
302. Vernonia suprafastigiata Klatt
303. Vernonia syringifolia O.Hoffm.
304. Vernonia tanalensis Baker
305. Vernonia tanganyikensis R.E.Fr.
306. Vernonia temnolepis O.Hoffm.
307. Vernonia tengwallii J.Kost.
308. Vernonia teucrioides Welw. ex O.Hoffm.
309. Vernonia teusczii Klatt
310. Vernonia tewoldei Mesfin
311. Vernonia texana (A.Gray) Small
312. Vernonia thomsonii Hook.f.
313. Vernonia thulinii Mesfin
314. Vernonia timorensis J.Kost.
315. Vernonia timpermaniana Kalanda
316. Vernonia tinctosetosa C.Jeffrey
317. Vernonia trachyphylla Muschl.
318. Vernonia tricholoba C.Jeffrey
319. Vernonia tropophila Humbert
320. Vernonia tuberifera R.E.Fr.
321. Vernonia unicata C.Jeffrey
322. Vernonia upembaensis Kalanda
323. Vernonia vaginata O.Hoffm.
324. Vernonia vallicola S.Moore
325. Vernonia verdickii O.Hoffm. & Muschl.
326. Vernonia verrucata Klatt
327. Vernonia vietnamensis Bien
328. Vernonia violacea Oliv. & Hiern
329. Vernonia violaceopapposa De Wild.
330. Vernonia vohemarensis Humbert
331. Vernonia vollesenii C.Jeffrey
332. Vernonia vulturina Shinners
333. Vernonia wakefieldii Oliv.
334. Vernonia walshae J.Kost.
335. Vernonia welwitschii O.Hoffm.
336. Vernonia wetarensis J.Kost.
337. Vernonia yabelloana Mesfin
338. Vernonia zambiana G.V.Pope
339. Vernonia zernyi Gilli

Ongoing Research and Future Directions

The genus Vernonia continues to be an area of active research. Scientists are exploring its potential for medicinal applications, particularly in the development of anti-malarial and anti-cancer drugs. The diverse chemical compounds found in Vernonia species offer promising avenues for future research.

I am excited to see what the future holds for our understanding and utilization of this fascinating genus. As a botanist, I am continually amazed by the complexity and beauty of the plant world, and Vernonia stands out as a shining example of nature’s ingenuity.