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

Consider late-blooming native plants such as asters, goldenrod, ironweed, Joe Pye weed, and sneezeweed, as well as some non-natives including tall sedums, dahlias, toad lilies, zinnias, Bolivian verbena, reblooming roses and anise hyssop. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026

Michigan's native wildflowers include ironweed, several varieties of aster, wild columbine, swamp milkweed and marsh blazing star, Visit Detroit says. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 18 May 2025

If only Romeo knew of the ironweeds, his life would have been so much easier. — Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Aug. 2024

Tall, woody wildflowers like goldenrod, ironweed, teasel, mullein and the like can produce embers in seconds. — Bradley Duncan, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ironweed

• aniseed
• centipede
• cottonseed
• disagreed
• ganymede
• guaranteed
• intercede
• overspeed
• pedigreed
• refereed
• supercede
• supersede

Kids 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