Medical Uses: Some spices of Ironweed have been used to treat stomach problems. Native Americans may have used the root to treat post childbirth pain and to restore regular menses.^{(Foster & Duke)}

Similar Species: New York Ironweed, V. noveboracensis is not as tall and has between 30 and 50 flowers per head. The bracts end in long bristles.
V. glauca is much shorter, usually under a meter, and has broader leaves. It is usually found in well drained open woods or fence rows.
V. flaccidifolia is a rare species of Ironweed. It has less than 30 flowers per head and is found in a relativity limited area more or less centered where Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia meet.

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One of the best general guides to wildflowers of the North Eastern and North Central United States. Newcomb's key is an excellent, simple method for identifying plants. Newcomb has drawings for almost every plant mentioned that are excellent aids to identifying the species. Though only the more common plants are covered this is often the first book I pick up when trying to identify a wildflower.

Wildflo wers of Tennessee the Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians

This is perhaps the best of many field guides covering this region. Featuring 446 excellent color photographs (located with the text) and mentioning as similar to those illustrated are another 800 or so species for a total coverage of over 1,200 species. The start of each family section includes line drawings of some of the species showing important features. The text includes the usual description, bloom season, range, habitat and additionally includes information such as medical uses and lore and how the species was named. This is the official field guide of the Tennessee Native Plant Society.