Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)
Wingstem is a tall, herbaceous perennial native to eastern and central North America. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is easily recognized by its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with drooping rays and a conical central disk. These blooms, typically one to two inches wide, appear in late summer and early fall, crowning the upper stems in loose, airy clusters. The plant’s alternate leaves can reach up to ten inches long and two and a half inches across, with winged leaf bases that give the stem a distinctive flanged appearance—hence the name “wingstem.”
This wildflower thrives in moist, partly shaded environments such as wooded slopes, open woodlands, shaded lowlands, riverbanks, and even roadsides and fields, especially where the soil stays on the moist side. It often grows in thick, towering clusters that can reach up to eight feet in height, forming dramatic stands that sway in the breeze. Wingstem spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding, making it a vigorous presence in restoration plantings and naturalized landscapes.
Ecologically, wingstem plays a valuable role in supporting pollinators. Its nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of bees, including bumblebees and honeybees, as well as butterflies and beetles. It serves as a host plant for the larvae of the gold moth and the silvery checkerspot butterfly, and its seeds provide food for birds in the fall. The foliage is generally unpalatable to deer, which adds to its appeal in native plant gardens and restoration sites. With its height, texture, and ecological benefits, wingstem is both a visual and functional asset to the landscapes it inhabits.
Sources:
Illinois Wildflowers — Wingstem
USDA NRCS Plant Profile — Verbesina alternifolia
Flora of North America — Verbesina alternifolia
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Plant Database Entry
Missouri Botanical Garden — Plant Finder
Prairie Moon Nursery — Wingstem
(SF)