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
Examples of ironweed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If only Romeo knew of the ironweeds, his life would have been so much easier.
—
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Aug. 2024
By now the fields are overgrown, most ironweed and parsnip have turned black,
even the closed cabinet doors of milkweed pods
have burst open, spilling their shucked silk
into the day.
—Didi Jackson, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Even among the other tall ironweed species found across North America, this one is a beast.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Aug. 2024
Ralph said specific native plants that were previously prohibited but allowed under the new ordinance include Canada goldenrod, daisy fleabane, dogbane, fall panicum, hoary verbena, ironweed, milkweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, purpletop grass, sagewort, tall thistle and wild four-o’clock.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Tall, woody wildflowers like goldenrod, ironweed, teasel, mullein and the like can produce embers in seconds.
—Bradley Duncan, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2023
Leaving blackberry, mullein, ironweed, mountain mint, Joe Pye weed, sunflowers and wild bergamot standing can make a huge difference.
—Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
This structure gives a sense of intentionality that distinguishes this garden from a wild prairie and takes advantage of the towering height of the Joe Pye weed and ironweed.
—Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 8 Aug. 2023
The hard path will offer close-up views of wildflowers in the fall, such as ironweed, milkweed and two varieties of goldenrod.
—Mary Jane Brewer, cleveland, 28 Sep. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Aug. 2024
By now the fields are overgrown, most ironweed and parsnip have turned black,
even the closed cabinet doors of milkweed pods
have burst open, spilling their shucked silk
into the day.
—Didi Jackson, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Even among the other tall ironweed species found across North America, this one is a beast.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Aug. 2024
Ralph said specific native plants that were previously prohibited but allowed under the new ordinance include Canada goldenrod, daisy fleabane, dogbane, fall panicum, hoary verbena, ironweed, milkweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, purpletop grass, sagewort, tall thistle and wild four-o’clock.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Tall, woody wildflowers like goldenrod, ironweed, teasel, mullein and the like can produce embers in seconds.
—Bradley Duncan, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2023
Leaving blackberry, mullein, ironweed, mountain mint, Joe Pye weed, sunflowers and wild bergamot standing can make a huge difference.
—Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
This structure gives a sense of intentionality that distinguishes this garden from a wild prairie and takes advantage of the towering height of the Joe Pye weed and ironweed.
—Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 8 Aug. 2023
The hard path will offer close-up views of wildflowers in the fall, such as ironweed, milkweed and two varieties of goldenrod.
—Mary Jane Brewer, cleveland, 28 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Ironweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ironweed. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ironweed
noun
iron·weed
-ˌwēd
: any of several mostly weedy plants related to the daisies and bearing clusters of red, purple, or white flowers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share