Iowa's native and naturalized Asteraceae.

The following information is sorted in ascending order alphabetically by "Family".


The following Asteraceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name

[Eilers & Roosa]
Author
[Eilers & Roosa]
Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]
Common
Name
Family
[FNA]
Scientific
Name

[FNA]
Author
[FNA]
Subspecific
Category

[FNA]
Habitat Abundance & Distribution Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied
US
Native?
IA
Native?
Special
Notes
. . . . Asteraceae Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Amphiachyris dracunculoides (DC) Nutt. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Antennaria howellii Greene ssp. neodioica (Greene) Bayer & Stebbins . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa. [= Antennaria neglecta Greene var. attenuata (Fern.) Cronq. & var. neodioica (Greene) Cronq.
. . . . Asteraceae Antennaria parlinii Fern. . . . . . . FNA includes 2 subspecies in Iowa: ssp. fallax (Greene) Bayer & Stebbins and ssp. parlinii. Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Aster tartaricus L. f. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Carduus crispus L. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Carthamus tinctorus L. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Crepis acuminata Nutt. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallroth . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Euthamia gymnospermoides Greene . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Gnaphalium uliginosum L. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Helianthus X laetiflorus Persoon . . . . . . [= Helianthus pauciflorus X H. tuberosus] Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Helianthus angustifolius L. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Helianthus microcephalus T&G . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Helianthus nuttallii T&G ssp. rydbergii (Britton) Long . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Heterotheca stenophylla (Gray) Shinners var. stenophylla . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britton & Rusby ssp. latifolia (Buckley) Semple . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Hieracium piloselloides Villars . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Madia glomerata Hooker . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Prenanthes crepidinea Michx. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Solidago altissima L. . . . . . . E&R include 4 varieties w/in S. canadensis: var. canadensis, var. gilvocanescens Rydb., var. hargeri Fern., var scabra (Muhl.) T&G. FNA lists only var. hargeri Fern. in Iowa. FNA segregates var. gilvocanescens Rydb. as S. altissima ssp. gilvocanescens
. . . . Asteraceae Solidago mollis Bartling . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Symphyotrichum firmum (Nees) Nesom . . . . . . FNA lists Aster firmus Nees, A. lucidulus (Gray) Wiegand & A. puniceus L. var. firmus (Nees) T&G as synonyms. E&R includes A. lucidulus (Gray) Wieg. as a synonym for A. puniceus L.
. . . . Asteraceae Symphyotrichum racemosum (Elliot) Nesom . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Symphyotrichum urophyllum (Lindl. ex DC) Nesom . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
. . . . Asteraceae Verbesina helianthoides Michx. . . . . . . Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant in Iowa.
Achillea millefolium L. ssp. lanulosa (Nutt.) Piper Western yarrow Asteraceae Achillea millefolium L. . Disturbed ground. Prairie remnants. Dry, open, sandy areas. Common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. . Common ragweed Asteraceae Ambrosia artemissifolia L. . Dry, disturbed, open ground. Common throughout the state. All yes yes 2 varieties in E&R: var. artemisiifolia & var elatior (L.) Descourt. No vars. in FNA.
Ambrosia bidentata Michx. . . Asteraceae Ambrosia bidentata Michx. . Fields and waste ground. Rare in SE [Jefferson and Van Buren Counties]. Rare in SC [Monroe County (1949)]. SE, SC Yes Yes .
Ambrosia psilostachya DC. . Western ragweed Asteraceae Ambrosia psilostachya DC. . Roadsides. Dry, sandy soil. Loess bluffs. Common in SW and in Loess Hills. Infrequent to rare elsewhere. All Yes Yes 2 varieties in E&R: var. psilostachya & var. coronopifolia (T&G) Farw.
Ambrosia trifida L. . Giant ragweed Asteraceae Ambrosia trifida L. . Open alluvium. Disturbed soil. Common throughout the state. All Yes Yes .
Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Bentham & Hooker . Pearly everlasting Asteraceae Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Bentham & Hooker . Dry open places. Rare in NE [Black Hawk (1892), Clayton, and Fayette (circa 1897) Counties]. Rare in EC [Linn County (1933)]. NE, EC Yes Yes .
Antennaria neglecta Greene . Pussytoes Asteraceae Antennaria neglecta Greene . Dry prairies. Loess bluffs. Dry, open, upland woods. Infrequent in SW. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Antennaria plantaginifolia (L.) Richardson . Ladies' tobacco Asteraceae Antennaria plantaginifolia (L.) Hooker . Prairies. Pastures. Dry, open woods. Rare to infrequent in SW. Common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Anthemis arvensis L. . Field chamomile Asteraceae Anthemis arvensis L. . Disturbed habitats. Rare in C [Poweshiek and Webster (1903) Counties]. C No No .
Anthemis cotula L. . Dog fennel Asteraceae Anthemis cotula L. . Farmyards. Pastures. Roadsides. Other disturbed habitats. Frequent to common throughout. All No No .
Anthemis tinctoria L. . . Asteraceae Cota tinctoria (L.) Gay ex Gussone . Roadside escapee from cultivation. Rare in NE [Clayton County (1929)] NE No No .
Arctium lappa L. . Great burdock Asteraceae Arctium lappa L. . Disturbed, wooded areas. Rare in NC [Floyd County]. Rare in SE [Des Moines County]. NC, SE No No .
Arctium minus Bernh. . Common burdock Asteraceae Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. . Disturbed ground. Roadsides. Pastures. Frequent to common throughout the state. All No No .
Arctium tomentosum Miller . . Asteraceae Arctium tomentosum Miller . Waste area. Rare in NW [Emmet County (1923)] NW No No .
Artemisia abrotanum L. . . Asteraceae Artemisia abrotanum L. . Old gardens. Around dwellings. Rare in SE [Muscatine County 1892)]. SE No No .
Artemisia absinthium L. . . Asteraceae Artemisia absinthium L. . Disturbed prairies. Rare in NW [Sioux County]. NW No No .
Artemisia annua L. . Annual wormwood Asteraceae Artemisia annua L. . Disturbed soil. Rare in SE and SC. SE, SC No No .
Artemisia biennis Willd. . Biennial wormwood Asteraceae Artemisia biennis Willd. . Moist, disturbed soil. Infrequent to rare throughout. All Yes No .
Artemisia campestris L. ssp. caudata (Michx.) Hall & Clem. Western sagewort Asteraceae Artemisia campestris L. ssp. caudata (Michx.) Hall & Clem. Moist, disturbed soil. Rare to infrequent in W & S. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Artemisia dracunculus L. . False tarragon Asteraceae Artemisia dracunculus L. . Sandy plains. Dry soils. Infrequent to rare throughout. All Yes Yes .
Artemisia frigida Willd. . Prairie sagewort Asteraceae Artemisia frigida Willd. . Low, gravelly ridge. Rare in NW [Lyon County]. NW Yes Yes .
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. . White sage Asteraceae Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. ssp. ludoviciana Sandy prairie remnants. Frequent to common throughout the state. All Yes Yes 2 varieties in E&R: var. ludoviciana & var. gnaphalodes (Nutt.) T&G.
Artemisia serrata Nutt. . . Asteraceae Artemisia serrata Nutt. . Edges of marshes. Wet ditches. Alluvium. Rare in E 2/3 of state. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Artemisia vulgaris L. . Common mugwort Asteraceae Artemisia vulgaris L. . Roadsides. Disturbed ground. Pastures. Rare in NE [Delaware County]. Rare in EC [Scott County in late 1800s]. NE, EC No No .
Aster X amethystinus Nutt. . . Asteraceae Symphyotrichus X amethystinum (Nutt.) Nesom . Prairies. Ditches. Rare in NC [Butler and Floyd Counties]. Rare in EC [Scott County]. NE, EC Yes Yes = Aster ericoides [[Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides] X A. novae-angliae [Symphyotrichum novae-angliae]
Aster azureus Lindley . Sky-blue aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (Riddell) Nesom . Dry, open woods. Dry prairies. Roadsides. Frequent to common in SE 2/3 of state. NE, NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Aster brachyactis Blake . Rayless aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum ciliatum (Ledeb.) Nesom . Edges of marshes. Low prairies. Rare in NC and in lakes area. NC, NW Yes Yes .
Aster cordifolius L. . Blue wood aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum cordifolium (L.) Nesom . Dry, upland woods. Common in SW. Frequent in E 1/2. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Aster drummondii Lindley . Drummond's aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum drummondii (Lindley) Nesom var. drummondii Dry to mesic woods. Wooded slopes. Disturbed areas in open woods. Frequent in SE. Infrequent to rare in N and SC. NE, NC, NW, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Aster dumosus L. . Ricebutton aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum dumosum (L.) Nesom . Moist, sandy soil. Rare in E [Delaware, Johnson, & Louisa Counties]. Rare in SC [Decatur (1903) and Marion Counties]. NE, EC, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Aster ericoides L. . Heath aster, Frost aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum ericoides (L.) Nesom var. ericoides Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Aster falcatus Lindley ssp. commmutatus (T&G) A. Gray . Asteraceae Symphyotrichum falcatum Lindley var. commutatum (T&G) Nesom Marshes & lakeshores. Rare in NW [Clay County (1936) & Palo Alto County (1936)]. NW Yes Yes .
Aster furcatus Burgess . Forked aster Asteraceae Eurybia furcata (Burgess) Nesom . Sandy, wooded slopes. Dry woods. Rare in SE [Muscatine County]. Rare in SC [Madison County (1917)]. SE, SC. Yes Yes .
Aster junciformis Rydb. . Rush aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum boreale (T&G) Love & Love . Marshes & fens. Rare in N. NE, NC, NW Yes Yes .
Aster laevis L. . Smooth blue aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum laeve (L.) Nesom var. laeve Roadsides. Prairies. Dry, open soil. Frequent to common througout. All Yes Yes .
Aster lanceolatus Willd. . Panicled aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Willd.) Nesom . Moist shores. Low prairies. Open woods. Rare to infrequent throughout. All Yes Yes E&R list 3 subspecies: ssp. lanceolatus, ssp. simplex (Willd.) A.G. Jones, ssp. interior (Wiegand) A.G. Jones. FNA lists 5 varieties: var. lanceolatum, var. hersperium (Gray) Nesom, var. hirsuticaule (Semple & Chmielewski) Nesom, var. interior (Wiegan
Aster lateriflorus (L.) Britton . Side-flowered aster. Asteraceae Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (L.) Love & Love . Woods. Prairie openings. Pastures. Loess bluffs. Common in SE. Frequent in NE. Infrequent in SW. NE, SE, SW Yes Yes .
Aster linariifolius L. . Flax-leaved aster Asteraceae Ionactis linariifolia (L.) Greene . Dry soil. Sandy, open woods. Rare in EC [Clinton County]. Rare in SE [Louisa (1927) & Muscatine (1896) Counties]. EC, SE Yes Yes .
Aster macrophyllus L. . Big-leaved aster Asteraceae Eurybia macrophylla (L.) Cassini . Moist, upland woods. Rare in NE [Winneshiek County]. All Yes Yes .
Aster novae-angliae L. . New England aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) Nesom . Prairie swales & other moist habitats. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Aster oblongifolius Nutt. . Aromatic aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Nutt.) Nesom . Dry, sandy soil. Dry, rocky bluffs. Common in SW. Frequent to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Aster ontarionis Wieg. . Ontario aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum ontarionis (Wieg.) Nesom var. ontarionis Alluvial woods. Low, moist woods. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Aster parviceps (Burgess) Mack. & Bush . . Asteraceae Symphyotrichum parviceps (Burgess) Nesom . Prairie remnants. Dry, sandy soil. Roadsides. Frequent to infrequent in SW. Rare in NE. NE, SW Yes Yes .
Aster pilosus Willd. . Hairy aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum pilosum (Willd.) Nesom var. pilosum Prairie remnants. Woodland openings. Roadsides. Rare in N 1/2. Common in S 1/2. All Yes Yes .
Aster praealtus Poiret . Willow aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum praealtum (Poiret) Nesom . var. praealtus: Moist woods. Moist open soil. var. nebraskensis: roadsides. var. praealtus: Frequent to infrequent in E 1/2 of state. var. nebraskensis: rare in NW [Emmett County (1942)]. NE, NC, NW, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes E&R list 2 varieties: var. praealtus & var. nebraskensis (Britton) Wieg. See FNA [vol. 20, p. 521] for a discussion of varieties.
Aster prenanthoides Muhl. ex Willd. . Crooked stem aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Muhl. ex Willd.) Nesom . Wooded ravines. Moist, disturbed woods. Rare to infrequent in E 2/3 of the state. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Aster pubentior Cronq. . . Asteraceae Doellingeria umbellata (Miller) Nees var. pubens (Gray) Britton Shores of lakes. Marshes. Rare in C [Jasper County]. C Yes Yes FNA lists 2 varieties: var. umbellata & var. pubens (Gray) Britton in Iowa. Aster pubentior = Doellingeria umbellata var. pubens.
Aster puniceus L. . Swamp aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum puniceum Love & Love var. puniceum Marshy ground. Fens. Infrequent in Des Moines lobe & in Iowan surface areas. Rare SE [Muscatine County (1927)]. Rare in SC [Decatur County (1903)]. All Yes Yes E&R list 2 varieties: var. puniceus and var. lucidulus Gray. In FNA list 2 vars. for Symphyotrichum puniceum, but only var. puniceum is listed for Iowa.
Aster sagittifolius Willd. . Arrow-leaved aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum cordifolium (L.) Nesom . Dry, upland woods. Common in S 1/2. Frequent in NE. Rare in NC. NE, NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Aster schreberi Nees . Schreber's aster Asteraceae Eurybia schreberi (Nees) Nees . Sandy, moist, wooded slopes. Rare in EC [Scott County (1932)]. Rare in SE [Muscatine County]. EC, SE Yes Yes .
Aster sericeus Vent. . Silky aster Asteraceae Symphyotrichum sericeum (Vent.) Nesom . Dry, rocky prairies. Loess bluffs. Common in W. Frequent to infrequent in E. NE, NW, EC, WC, SE, SW Yes Yes The above from Eilers and Roosa implies the plant is absent from the center 1/3 of the state.
Aster shortii Lindley . . Asteraceae Symphyotrichum shortii (Lindley) Nesom . Upland woods. Moist, wooded slopes. Common in NE. Infrequent in SE. Rare in NC. NE, NC, SE Yes Yes .
Aster turbinellus Lindley . . Asteraceae Symphyotrichum turbinellum (Lindley) Nesom . Prairies. Dry, open woods. Woodland edges. Rare in SE [Lee County]. SE Yes Yes .
Aster umbellatus Miller . Flat-topped aster Asteraceae Doellingeria umbellata Nesom . Marshes. Fens. Moist, sandy prairies. Rare to infrequent throughout. All Yes Yes FNA lists 2 varieties: Doellingeria umbellata var. umbellata & D. umbellata var. pubens (Gray) Britton.
Bidens aristosa (Michx.) Britton . Swamp marigold Asteraceae Bidens aristosa (Michx.) Britton . Moist, disturbed areas. Rare in EC [Iowa (1928) & Scott Counties]. Rare in C [Poweshiek County]. Rare in SE [Des Moines, Jefferson, Keokuk, Muscatine, and Washington Counties EC, C, SE Yes Yes FNA does not include this plant in IA. PLANTS database includes it IA.
Bidens bipinnata L. . Spanish needles Asteraceae Bidens bipinnnata L. . Moist, sandy, open habitats. Wooded bluffs. Rare in SE [Lee and Louisa Counties]. SE No No .
Bidens cernua L. . Nodding bur mariold Asteraceae Bidens cernua L. . Mud flats, lakeshores, & streambanks. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd. . . Asteraceae Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd. . Marshes, lake margins. Moist, sandy, disturbed areas. Common in SE. Rare to frequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Bidens coronata (L.) Britton . Tickseed sunflower Asteraceae Bidens trichosperma (Michx.) Britton . Marshes. Streambanks. Alluvial woods. Common in SW. Frequent to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Bidens discoidea (T&G) Britton . Swamp beggar-ticks Asteraceae Bidens discoidea (T&G) Britton . Open, moist soil. Marsh edges. Moist, pastured woods. Rare in E 1/4 of state. NE, NC, EC Yes Yes .
Bidens frondosa L. . Beggar-ticks Asteraceae Bidens frondosa L. . Marshes. Streambanks. Prairie swales. Common in NC and in lakes area. Rare to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Bidens polylepis Blake . . Asteraceae Bidens polylepis Blake . Wet depressions. Roadsides. Waste ground. Alluvium. Common in SW. Rare in NE. Infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Bidens tripartita L. . . Asteraceae Bidens tripartita L. . Marshes. Lake margins. Moist, sandy, disturbed areas. Common in SE. Rare to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Bidens vulgata Greene . Tall beggar-ticks Asteraceae Bidens vulgata Greene . Moist lowlands. Ditches. Along lakeshores. Rare in NW and NE. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Boltonia asteroides (L.) L'Her . False aster Asteraceae Boltonia asteroides (L.) L'Her . Marshes. Prairie swales. Sandy areas. Common in NC. Infrequent to frequent in S. Also in Dickinson County. All Yes Yes E&R list 3 varieties: var. asteroides, var. recognita (Fern. & Grisc.) Cronq.& var. latisquama (Gray) Cronq. FNA lists 2 varieties in Iowa: var. recognita (Fern. & Grisc.) Cronq. & var. latisquama (Gray) Cronq.
Brickellia eupatorioides (L.) Shinners . False boneset Asteraceae Brickellia eupatorioides (L.) Shinners . Dry prairies. Roadsides. Railroad ballast. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes E&R list 2 varieties: var. eupatoroides & var. corymbulosa (T&G) Shinners. FNA lists only the latter from Iowa.
Cacalia atriplicifolia L. . Indian plantain Asteraceae Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (L.) H. Robinson . Moist woods. Moist ditches. Sandy, open areas. Infrequent to frequent in S 1/2 of state. EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes FNA does NOT include this plant in IA. PLANTS database includes the plant in SW IA.
Cacalia muhlenbergii (Sch. Bip.) Fern. . Great Indian plantain Asteraceae Arnoglossum reniforme (Hooker) H. Robinson . Moist alluvial woods. Algific slopes. Rare in NE [except frequent in Paleozoic Plateau]. Rare in SE [Muscatine County]. Rare in SW [Cass County]. NE, EC, SE, SW Yes Yes .
Cacalia plantaginea (Raf.) Shinners . Prairie Indian plantain Asteraceae Arnoglossum plantagineum Raf. . Prairie remnants. Loess bluffs. Common in SW. Infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Cacalia suaveolens L. . Sweet Indian plantain Asteraceae Hasteola suaveolens (L.) Pojark. . Wooded streambanks. Marshes. Fens. Rare in E 1/2 & in SW. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Carduus acanthoides L. . Plumeless thistle Asteraceae Carduus acanthoides L. ssp. acanthoides Disturbed ground. Fields. Rare in S 1/2. Infrequent in NW. NW, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW No No .
Carduus nutans L. . Musk thistle Asteraceae Carduus nutans L. . Roadsides. Fallow fields. Overgrazed pastures. Frequent to common in W 1/2. Rare in E 1/2. All No No .
Centaurea calcitrapa L. . . Asteraceae Centaurea calcitrapa L. . Disturbed areas. Rare in C [Story County]. C No No .
Centaurea cyanus L. . Bachelor's button, cornflower Asteraceae Centaurea cyanus L. . Disturbed, open ground. Rare escapee from cultivation. All No No .
Centaurea diffusa Lam. . . Asteraceae Centaurea diffusa Lam. . Adventive along roadsides. Rare in NW [Sioux County]. NW No No .
Centaurea jacea L. . . Asteraceae Centaurea jacea L. . Disturbed areas. Rare in NW [Cherokee County (1924)]. NW No No .
Centaurea maculosa Lam. . Star thistle Asteraceae Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gmelin ex Gugler) Hayek Disturbed soil. Roadsides. Infrequent to rare throughout. All No No .
Centaurea moschata L. . . Asteraceae Amberboa moschata (L.) DC. . Disturbed areas. Rare in C [Polk County (1928)]. C No No FNA distribution shows British Columia only & does NOT include this plant in Iowa.
Centaurea nigra L. . Black knapweed Asteraceae Centaurea nigra L. . Disturbed soil. Rare is WC [Calhoun County (1911)]. WC No No .
Centaurea repens L. . . Asteraceae Acroptilon repens (L.) DC . Disturbed areas. Rare in WC [Woodbury County]. Rare in NW [Sioux County (1933)]. NW, WC No No .
Centaurea scabiosa L. . . Asteraceae Centaurea scabiosa L. . Disturbed areas. Rare In WC [Sac County]. Rare in NW [O'Brien County (1944)]. NW, WC. No No .
Centaurea solstitialis L. . Yellow star thistle Asteraceae Centaurea solstitialis L. . Fields. Disturbed ground. Rare in SC & SW. SC, SW. No No .
Cichorium intybus L. . Chicory Asteraceae Cichorium intybus L. . Roadsides & farmyards. Rare in NE. Common elsewhere. All No No .
Cirsium altissimum (L.) Sprengel . Tall thistle Asteraceae Cirsium altissimum (L.) Sprengel . Pastures. Open woods. Prairie remanants. Roadsides. Rare in NE. Infrequent in NW. Common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. . Canada thistle Asteraceae Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. . Weed of cultivated fields. Pastures. Roadsides. Waste places. Frequent to common throughout. All No No .
Cirsium discolor (Muhl. ex Willd.) Sprengel . Field thistle Asteraceae Cirsium discolor (Muhl. ex Willd.) Sprengel . Open woods. Roadsides. Moist prairie remnants. Disturbed ground. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Cirsium flodmanii (Rydb.) Arthur . . Asteraceae Cirsium flodmanii (Rydb.) Arthur . Moist prairies. Dry upland pastures. Roadsides. Common in NW. Frequent in W. Rare in NE. NE, NW, WC, SW Yes Yes .
Cirsium hillii (Canby) Fern. . . Asteraceae Cirsium pumilum (Nutt.) Sprengel var. hillii (Canby) B. Boivin Sandy prairies. Dry prairies. Not reported in W and S. Rare to infrequent elsewhere. NE, NC, EC, C. Yes Yes .
Cirsium muticum Michx. . Swamp thistle Asteraceae Cirsium muticum Michx . Edges of marshes and lakes. Prairie swales. Fens. Rare in NE 2/3 of state. NE, NC, NW, EC, C, WC, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Sprengel . . Asteraceae Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Sprengel . Dry prairies. Rare in C, NW, EC, SE, & SW. NW, EC, C, SE, SW Yes Yes .
Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore . Bull thistle Asteraceae Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore . Pastures. Disturbed ground. Roadsides. Frequent to common throughout. All No No .
Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. . Horseweed, muletail Asteraceae Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. . Open, disturbed soil. Pastures. Fields. Common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Conyza ramosissima Cronq. . Low horseweed Asteraceae Conyza ramosissima Cronq. . Sandy pastures. Farmyards. Roadsides. Disturbed soil. Rare to infrequent throughout. All Yes Yes .
Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet . Large-flowered coreopsis Asteraceae Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet . Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Open, dry uplands. Rare escapee from cultivation. All Yes No .
Coreopsis lanceolata L. . Tickseed coreopsis Asteraceae Coreopsis lanceolata L. . Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Open, dry uplands. Rare in SE. SE Yes No FNA distribution does not include this plant in Iowa.
Coreopsis palmata Nutt. . Tickseed, prairie coreopsis Asteraceae Coreopsis palmata Nutt. . Prairie remnants. Open woods. Infrequent in SE. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. . Golden coreopsis Asteraceae Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. . Railroad ballast. Dry waste places. Rare escapee from cultivation. Also adventive from west. All Yes No .
Coreopsis tripteris L. . Tall tickseed Asteraceae Coreopsis tripteris L. . Prairie remnants. Margins of upland woods. Infrequent in S 1/2. EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Crepis runcinata (James) T&G . Hawksbeard Asteraceae Crepis runcinata (James) T&G . Lakeshores. Waste ground. Rare in NW [Osceola County (1912)]. Rare in NE [Black Hawk County (1921)]. NW, NE Yes No FNA distribution does not include this plant in Iowa.
Crepis tectorum L. . . Asteraceae Crepis tectorum L. . Disturbed areas near human dwellings. Rare escapee from cultivation in WC and C. C, WC No No .
Dyssodia papposa (Vent.) A.S. Hitchc. . Fetid marigold Asteraceae Dyssodia papposa (Vent.) A.S. Hitchc. . Loess bluffs. Disturbed, open areas. Prairies. Roadsides. Infrequent NW & S 1/2 of state. NW, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Echinacea angustifolia DC. . Purple coneflower Asteraceae Echinacea angustifolia DC. . Loess bluffs. Dry prairies. Common in Loess Hills of W. Rare in W & S. NW, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Echinacea pallida Nutt. . Pale coneflower Asteraceae Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. . Loess bluffs. Dry prairies. Roadsides. Common in W. Infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench . Purple coneflower Asteraceae Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench . Woodland borders. Prairie remnants. Rare in SE and SC. SE, SC Yes Yes .
Echinops sphaerocephalus L. . Globe thistle Asteraceae Echinops sphaerocephalus L. . Roadsides. Disturbed areas. Rare in NW [Clay County (1923)]. Rare in NE [Bremer County]. NE, NW No No .
Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. . Yerbo-de-Tajo Asteraceae Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. . Floodplains. Muddy shores. Moist, disturbed areas. Frequent in E 1/2 of state. Rare in NC. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Erechtites hieracifolia (L.) Raf. ex DC. . Fireweed Asteraceae Erechtites hieraciifolius (L.) Raf. ex DC. var. hieraciifolius Marshes, shores, moist ditches. Frequent to common in S 1/2 of state. Rare in NC. NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. . Annual fleabane Asteraceae Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. . Roadsides. Pastures. Upland openings. Common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Erigeron philadelphicus L. . Fleabane Asteraceae Erigeron philadelphicus L. var. philadelphicus Moist woods and shores. Moist, sandy areas. Common in NC. Frequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Erigeron pulchellus Michx. . Robin's plantain Asteraceae Erigeron pulchellus Michx. var. pulchellus Open woods. Common in Paleozoic Plateau. Rare elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. . Daisy fleabane Asteraceae Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. . Open woods. Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Comon throughout. All Yes Yes FNA includes 2 varieties in Iowa: var. strigosis & var. septentrionalis (Fern. & Wieg.) Fern.
Eupatorium altissimum L. . Tall thoroughwort Asteraceae Eupatorium altissimum L. . Lower portions of loess bluffs. Prairie remnants. Dry, open woods. Frequent in S. Rare to infrequent in N. All Yes Yes .
Eupatorium maculatum L. . Spotted Joe-pye-weed Asteraceae Eutrochium maculatum (L.) Lamont . Fens. Open marshy places. Common in Paleozoid Plateau. Frequent in Iowan Surface. Infrequent in NC & SC. NE, NC,EC, C, SC Yes Yes E & R includes 2 varieties in Iowa: var. maculatum & var. bruneri (Gray) Breitung. FNA includes same vars. in IA.
Eupatorium perfoliatum L. . Boneset Asteraceae Eupatorium perfoliatum L. . Edges of marshes. Fens. Prairie swales. Open alluvium. Infrequent in SE. Frequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Eupatorium purpureum L. . Purple Joe-pye-weed Asteraceae Eutrochium purpureum (L.) Lamont . Moist woods. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes FNA includes 2 varieties in Iowa: var. purpureum & var. holzingeri (Rydb.) Lamont.
Eupatorium rugosum Houtt. . White snakeroot Asteraceae Ageratina altissima (L.) King & Robinson var. altissima Woodlands. Common throughout the state. All Yes Yes .
Eupatorium serotinum Michx. . Late boneset Asteraceae Eupatorium serotinum Michx. . Moist open woods. Alluvium. Frequent in SE. Rare in SW. SE, SW Yes Yes .
Eupatorium sessilifolium L. var. brittonianum Porter Upland boneset Asteraceae Eupatorium sessilifolium L. . Dry, wooded slopes. Rare in NE [Allamakee, Clayton, & Fayette (1926) Counties]. Rare in EC [Jones County (1948)]. NE, EC Yes Yes .
Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Nutt. ex. Cass. . . Asteraceae Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Nutt. . Low, moist prairies. Sandy, open places. Fens. Rare in extreme W. Absent from NE. Frequent to infrequent elsewhere. NC, NW, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Gaillardia pulchella Foug. . Blanket flower, rose-ring gaillardia Asteraceae Gaillardia pulchella Foug. . Disturbed prairies. Rare in WC [Woodbury County]. Rare in NW [Emmet County (1954)]. NW, WC Yes No FNA does not include this plant in Iowa.
Galinsoga parviflora Cav. . Peruvian daisy Asteraceae Galinsoga parviflora Cav. var. parviflora Waste places. Rare escapee from gardens. All No No .
Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pavon . Peruvian daisy Asteraceae Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pavon . Weed of waste places and cultivated soil [especially in urban areas]. Frequent in SW. Infrequent in SE. Rare in NC. NC, SE, SW No no .
Gnaphalium obtusifolium L. . Everlasting Asteraceae Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & Burtt . Disturbed prairies. Grassy & sandy uplands. Common in E 1/2 & SC. Rare in NC. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Gnaphalium purpureum L. . Early cudweed Asteraceae Gamochaeta purpurea (L.) Cabrera . Railroad ballast. Disturbed lowlands. Rare in SE [Lee County (1931)]. Rare in SC [Decatur & Warren Counties]. SE, SC Yes Yes .
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal . Gum plant Asteraceae Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal . Loess bluffs. Disturbed, sandy soil. Dry prairies. Frequent to common in W [especially in Loess Hills.]. Infrequent to rare elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Guitierrezia dracunculoides (DC.) Blake . Broomweed Asteraceae Amphiachyris dracunculoides (DC.) Nutt. . Pastures. Rare in SW [Ringgold County]. SW Yes No .
Helenium amarum (Raf.) H. Rock. . Bitterweed Asteraceae Helenium amarum (Raf.) H. Rock. . Sandy fields. Waste ground. Rare in EC [Jones County]. EC Yes Yes FNA does not include this plant in Iowa.
Helenium autumnale L. . Sneezeweed Asteraceae Helenium autumnale L. . Marshes. Moist prairies. Fens. Sedge meadows. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Helianthus annuus L. . Common sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus annuus L. . Roadsides. Fields. Along railroads. Disturbed, open ground. Common in W 1/2. Frequent in E 1/2. All Yes Yes .
Helianthus decapetalus L. . Pale sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus decapetalus L. . Moist, upland woods. Wooded slopes. Infrequent to rare in NE 1/4 & S 1/2 of state. NE, NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Helianthus divaricatus L. . Woodland sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus divaricatus L. . Dry, open woods. Rare in extreme E. NE, EC, SE Yes Yes .
Helianthus giganteus L. . Tall sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus giganteus L. . Moist prairies. Sandy pond margins. Low woods. Rare in SE & SC. SE, SC Yes Yes .
Helianthus grosseserratus Martens . Saw-tooth sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus grosseserratus Martens . Moist, open ground. Road sides. Disturbed soil. Sandy prairie remnants. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes .
Helianthus hirsutus Raf. . Bristly sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus hirsutus Raf. . Open woods. Woodland margins. Rare in NC, SE, & SW. NC, SE, SW Yes Yes .
Helianthus maximiliani Schrader . Maximillian's sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus maximiliani Schrader . Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Disturbed soil. Common in NC. Infrequent in W. NC, NW, WC, SW Yes Yes .
Helianthus mollis Lam. . . Asteraceae Helianthus mollis Lam. . Dry prairies. Disturbed soil along railroads. Rare in SE [Muscatine County (1896)]. Rare in SC [Decatur County]. SE, SC No No .
Helianthus occidentalis Riddell . Western sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus occidentalis Riddell ssp. occidentalis Dry prairies. Dry, open sand. Common in Paleozoic Plateau. Infrequent in remainder of E. NE, EC, SE Yes Yes .
Helianthus petiolaris Nutt. . Petioled sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus petiolaris Nutt. ssp. petiolaris Dry, open, sandy soil. Roadsides. Disturbed ground. Rare in SC & SW. Frequent in SE. SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Helianthus rigidus (Cass.) Desf. . Prairie sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus pauciflorus Nutt. . Eilers & Roosa ssp. rididus: Sandy or dry upland prairies. Dry loess bluffs. Eilers & Roosa ssp. subrhomboideus (Rydb.) Heiser: same habitat. Eilers & Roosa ssp. rididus: Common in W 1/2 and infrequent in E 1/2. Eilers & Roosa ssp. subrhomboideus (Rydb.) Heiser: Common W. Infrequent in E. All Yes Yes FNA lists 2 subspecies in Iowa: ssp. pauciflorus [= H. rigidus ssp. rigidus of E&R] & ssp. subrhomboideus (Rydb.) Spring & Schilling [= H. rigidus ssp. subrhomboideus (Rydb.) Heiser of E&R].
Helianthus strumosus L. . Pale-leaved sunflower Asteraceae Helianthus strumosus L. . Open woods. Prairie remnants. Open, disturbed areas. Rare in NW. Frequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Helianthus tuberosus L. . Jerusalem artichoke Asteraceae Helianthus tuberosus L. . Moist prairies. Roadsides. Disturbed areas. Infrequent in N. Frequent to common in S. All Yes Yes .
Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet . Ox-eye Asteraceae Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet var. scabra (Dunal) Fern. Prairies. Roadsides. Loess bluffs. Frequent to common throughout the state. All Yes Yes E&R include 2 varieties: var. helianthoides & var. scabra (Dunal) Fern. FNA includes only the single var. in Iowa.
Heterotheca villosa (Pursh.) Shinners . . Asteraceae Heterotheca villosa (Pursh.) Shinners var. minor (Hooker) Semple Sandy alluvium. Rare in NW [Lyon County]. Rare in EC [Clinton & Jackson Counties]. NW, EC Yes Yes E&R include 4 varieties in Iowa: var. villosa, var. angustifolia (Rydb.) Harms, var. camporum (Greene) Wunderlin, var. hispida (Hooker) Harms. FNA lists only the single variety.
Hieracium aurantiacum L. . King-devil Asteraceae Hieracium aurantiacum L. . Fields, roadsides, & pastures. Rare in NC [Mitchell County]. Rare in NE [Allamakee and Clayton (1935) Counties]. NE, NC No No .
Hieracium canadense Michx. . Hawkweed Asteraceae Hieracium umbellatum L.. . Dry, wooded hillsides. Rare in N and in EC [Linn & Scott (late 1800s) Counties] and SE [Muscatine County] (sic). NE, NC, NW, EC, SE Yes Yes E&R includes 2 varieties in Iowa: var. canadense & var. fasciculatum (Pursh) Fern.
Hieracium longipilum Torrey . Hawkweed Asteraceae Hieracium longipilum Torrey ex Hooker . Dry prairies. Sandy soils. Infrequent in Paleozoic Plateau. Rare in remainder of the E 1/2 of the state. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Hieracium scabrum Michx. . Rough hawkweed Asteraceae Hieracium scabrum Michx. . Open, upland woods. Upland prairies. Frequent in S and in Paleozoic Plateau. Rare to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Hieracium umbellatum L. . . Asteraceae Hieracium umbellatum L. . Prairie remnants. Open, upland woods. Common in Paleozoic Plateau. Infrequent in remainder of N. Rare in SE. NE, NC, NW, SE Yes Yes H. candense Michx. of E&R is included w/in H. umbellatum of FNA.
Inula helenium L. . Elecampane Asteraceae Inula helenium L. . Open woods. Rare in E [Johnson, Muscatine, & Winneshiek Counties]. NE, EC, SE Yes Yes .
Iva annua L. . Sumpweed Asteraceae Iva annua L. . Moist sand. Rare in SE [Des Moines & Jefferson (1935) Counties]. Rare in SW [Pottawattamie County (1898)]. SE, SW Yes Yes .
Iva xanthifolia Nutt. . Marsh elder Asteraceae Cyclachaena xanthiifolia (Nutt.) Fresenius . Disturbed prairies. Moist waste places. Frequent to infrequent in W 1/2 & NC. Rare in SE [Muscatine County (1892)]. NC, NW, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Krigia biflora (Walter) Blake . False dandelion Asteraceae Krigia biflora (Walter) Blake . Prairie remnants. Openings in woods. Rare in N. Frequent in E. NE, NC, NW, EC, SE Yes Yes .
Krigia dandelion (L.) Nutt. . . Asteraceae Krigia dandelion (L.) Nutt. . Moist, open, sandy areas. Rare in SW [Union County]. SW Yes No FNA does not include this plant in Iowa.
Krigia virginica (L.) Willd. . Dwarf dandelion Asteraceae Krigia virginica (L.) Willd. . Sandy plains or dunes. Rare in EC [Clinton & Jackson Counties]. Rare in SE [Des Moines, Louisa, & Muscatine Counties]. EC, SE Yes Yes .
Lactuca biennis (Moench) Fern. . Tall blue lettuce Asteraceae Lactuca biennis (Moench) Fern. . Roadsides. Disturbed ground. Common in lakes area. Rare in NC, in NE [Winneshiek County], & in EC [Jones County]. NE, NC, NW, EC Yes Yes .
Lactuca canadensis L. . Wild lettuce Asteraceae Lactuca canadensis L. . Roadsides. Along railroads. Open, sandy areas. Infrequent in NW. Common elsewhere. All Yes Yes E&R list 4 varieties: var. canadensis, var. longifolia (Michx.) Farw., var. obovata Wieg., var. latifolia Kuntze. FNA includes no vars.
Lactuca floridana (L.) Gaertner . Blue lettuce Asteraceae Lactuca floridana (L.) Gaertner . Moist woods and alluvium. Woodland margins. Frequent to common in S 1/2 of state. Infrequent to rare in N 1/2. All Yes Yes E&R list 2 varieties: var. floridana & var. villosa (Jacq.) Cronq. FNA includes no vars.
Lactuca ludoviciana (Nutt.) Riddell . Prairie lettuce Asteraceae Lactuca ludoviciana (Nutt.) Riddell . Prairie remnants. Open, wooded bluffs. Infrequent to frequent in W 1/2. Rare or absent in E 1/2 of state. All Yes Yes .
Lactuca saligna L. . . Asteraceae Lactuca saligna L. . Disturbed habitats. Rare in SW [Page County]. SW No No .
Lactuca serriola L. . Prickly lettuce Asteraceae Lactuca serriola L. . Weed of waste ground and disturbed places. Common in SW 2/3 of state. Infrequent to rare elsewhere. All No No .
Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A. Meyer ssp. pulchella (Pursh) Stebbins . Asteraceae Mulgedium pulchellum (Pursh) G. Don . Loess bluffs. Roadsides. Sandy shores. Common in W. Frequent to infrequent in NC and SC. NC, NW, C, WC, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Leontodon autumnalis L. . Fall dandelion Asteraceae Leontodon autumnalis L. . Open, disturbed sites. Rare in SW [Page County]. SW No No .
Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. . Ox-eye daisy Asteraceae Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. . Roadsides. Along railroads. Pastures. Rocky alluvium. Frequent to common in SW, SC, & in Paleozoic Plateau. Infrequent to rare in the remainder of the NE and in SE. NE, EC, SE, SC, SW No No .
Liatris aspera Michx. . Blazing star Asteraceae Liatris aspera Michx. . Prairie remnants. Common in E 2/3 of state. Infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Liatris cylindracea Michx. . Blazing star Asteraceae Liatris cylindracea Michx. . Dry, rocky or sandy prairies. Rare in NE 1/3 of state. Frequent in Paleozoic Plateau. NE, NC, EC, C Yes Yes .
Liatris ligulistylis (A. Nelson) K. Schum. . Blazing star Asteraceae Liatris ligulistylis (A. Nelson) K. Schum. . Prairies. Roadsides. Along railroads. Rare in NC & NE. NE, NC Yes Yes .
Liatris punctata Hooker . Blazing star Asteraceae Liatris punctata Hooker var. punctata Loess bluffs. Prairies. Gravel hills. Frequent to common in NW. Infrequent in rest of W 1/2. NC, NW, C, WC, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Liatris pycnostachya Michx. . Prairie blazing star Asteraceae Liatris pycnostachya Michx. var. pycnostachya Moist prairies. Roadsides. Along railroads. Rare of infrequent in extreme W. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Liatris squarrosa (L.) Michx. . Blazing star Asteraceae Liatris squarrosa (L.) Michx. var. glabrata (Rydb.) Gaiser Prairies. Woodland openings. Infrequent in W 1/2. Rare in SE. NC, NW, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes E&R list 3 varieties of L. squarrosa in Iowa: var. squarrosa, var. hirsuta (Rydb.) Gaiser, var. glabrata (Rydb.) Gaiser. FNA includes only var. glabrata in Iowa. Additionally, FNA elevates L. squarrosa var. hirsuta of E&R to L. hirsuta Rydb.
Liatris squarrosa (L.) Michx. var. hirsuta (Rydb.) Gaiser Blazing star Asteraceae Liatris hirsuta Rydb. . Prairies. Woodland openings. Infrequent in W 1/2. Rare in SE. NC, NW, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes E&R list 3 varieties of L. squarrosa in Iowa: var. squarrosa, var. hirsuta (Rydb.) Gaiser, var. glabrata (Rydb.) Gaiser. FNA includes only var. glabrata in Iowa. Additionally, FNA elevates L. squarrosa var. hirsuta of E&R to L. hirsuta Rydb.
Lygodesmia juncea (Pursh) D. Don . Skeletonweed Asteraceae Lygodesmia juncea (Pursh) D. Don ex Hooker . Open, disturbed soil of loess bluffs. Dry, gravelly prairies. Common in Loess Hills. Frequent to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Lygodesmia rostrata Gray . Annual skeletonweed Asteraceae Shinneroseris rostrata (Gray) Tomb . Sandy plains. Rare in WC [Harrison County]. Rare in NW [Plymouth County (1927)]. NW, WC Yes Yes .
Machaeranthera spinulosa Greene . . Asteraceae Xanthisma spinulosum (Pursh) Morgan & Hartman . Loess bluffs. Gravel hills. Dry prairies. Common in SW. Frequent in WC & NW. NW, WC, SW Yes Yes FNA includes 2 varieties in Iowa: var. spinulosum & var. glaberrimum (Rydb.) Morgan & Hartman.
Madia sativa Molina var. congesta T&G Tarweed Asteraceae Madia sativa Molina . Open, dry, sandy soils. Rare waif from western plains in NW [Emmet County] and SC [Mahaska County (1930s)]. NW, SC Yes No FNA does not include this plant in Iowa.
Matricaria chamomilla L. . Wild chamomile Asteraceae Matricaria chamomilla L. . Dry, disturbed soil Rare in EC [Johnson (1927) & Scott Counties]. Rare in SE [Muscatine County (1895)]. EC, SE No No .
Matricaria maritima L. . . Asteraceae Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Schultz-Bipontinus . Disturbed alluvium. Rare in SE [Muscatine County (1925)]. SE No No
Matricaria matricarioides (Less.) Porter . Pineapple weed Asteraceae Matricaria discoidea DC. . Roadsides, paths, pastures, & other disturbed habitats. Frequent to common in NE 2/3 of state. Infrequent in W. All No No .
Megalodonta beckii (Torrey ex Sprengel) Greene . Water marigold Asteraceae Bidens beckii Torrey ex Sprengel . Shallow, clear water of lakes. Rare in NW [Dickinson County]. Rare in NC [Cerro Gordo County (1901)]. NC, NW Yes Yes .
Nothocalais cuspidata (Pursh) Greene . Prairie dandelion Asteraceae Nothocalais cuspidata (Pursh) Greene . Dry prairies. Gravel hills. Loess bluffs. Frequent in NW and NC. Infrequent in WC and SW. NC, NW, WC, SW Yes Yes .
Onopordum acanthium L. . Scotch thistle Asteraceae Onopordum acanthium L. ssp. acanthium Disturbed ground. Rare in C [Hardin County (1939)]. Rare in NE [Fayette County (1929)]. NE, C No No .
Parthenium integrifolium L. . Feverfew, wild quinine Asteraceae Parthenium integrifolium L. . Prairies. Infrequent to rare in E 1/2 of state. NE, NC, WC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Picris echiodes L. . Ox-tongue Asteraceae Helminthotheca echiodes (L.) Holub . Fields, roadsides, waste ground. Rare in SC [Clarke County (1924)]. SC No No .
Polymnia canadensis L. . Leafcup Asteraceae Polymnia canadensis L. . Moist alluvial woods. Wooded slopes. Algific talus slopes. Frequent in extreme E. Infrequent to rare in remainder of E 1/2 of state. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Prenanthes alba L. . Rattlesnake-root, white lettuce Asteraceae Prenanthes alba L. . Moist woods. Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Frequent to common throughout most of state. Not reported from NW. NE, NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Prenanthes aspera Michx. . Rough white lettuce Asteraceae Prenanthes aspera Michx. . Prairies. Frequent to infrequent in W. Rare elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Prenanthes racemosa Michx. . Glaucous white lettuce Asteraceae Prenanthes racemosa Michx. . Prairies. Frequent to common in NC and in lakes area. Infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes E&R include 2 subspecies: ssp. racemosa & ssp. multiflora Cronq. FNA includes no vars.
Prionopsis ciliata Nutt. . . Asteraceae Grindelia ciliata (Nutt.) Sprengel . Dry, sandy priaire along railroads. Rare in C [Hardin County] & rare in SE [Muscatine County]. SE, C Yes No .
Pyrrhopappus carolinianus (Walter) DC. . False dandelion Asteraceae Pyrrhopappus carolinianus (Walter) DC. . Dry woods. Prairies. Rare in EC [Scott County], SE [Jefferson County (1934)], & SW [Page County]. EC, SE, SW Yes No FNA does not list this plant as being present in Iowa.
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Wooton & Standley . Long-headed coneflower Asteraceae Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Wooton & Standley . Dry prairies. Loess bluffs. Sandy areas. Common in NW. Rare in remainder of W 1/2 of state. NC, NW, C, WC, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnh. . Gray-headed coneflower Asteraceae Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnh. . Prairie remnants. Loess bluffs. Roadsides. Frequent to common throughout most of the state. All Yes Yes .
Rudbeckia hirta L. . Black-eyed Susan Asteraceae Rudbeckia hirta L. var. pulcherrima Farw. Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Common throughout most of the state. All Yes Yes E&R include 2 varieties in Iowa: var. hirta & var. pulcherrima Farw. FNA includes only the latter var.
Rudbeckia laciniata L. . Tall coneflower Asteraceae Rudbeckia laciniata L. var. laciniata Alluvial woods. Common in NC and in Paleozoic Plateau. Frequent to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Rudbeckia subtomentosa Pursh . Fragrant coneflower Asteraceae Rudbeckia subtomentosa Pursh . Moist prairies. Open grasslands. Apparently absent from WC & NW. Rare to infrequent elsewhere. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Rudbeckia triloba L. . Brown-eyed Susan Asteraceae Rudbeckia triloba L. . Alluvial or moist woods. Frequent to common in E 2/3 of state. Infrequent in SW. NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes FNA includes 2 varieties from Iowa: var. triloba & var. rupestris (Chickering) A. Gray
Senecio aureus L. . Golden ragwort Asteraceae Packera aurea (L.) Love & Love . Moist prairies. Woodland openings. Frequent in NC & in Paleozoic Plateau. Rare elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Senecio congestus (R. Br.) DC. . Marsh fleabane Asteraceae Tephroseris palustris (L.) Reichenbach . Prairie swales. Rare in NC, NE, and in lakes area. NE, NC, NW Yes Yes .
Senecio glabellus Poiret . Butterweed Asteraceae Packera glabella (Poiret) Jeffrey . Moist woods. Moist, shaded ground along streams. Rare in SW [Fremont County]. SW Yes No .
Senecio integerrimus Nutt. . . Asteraceae Senecio integerrimus Nutt. var. integerrimus Moist prairies. Open woods. Shores. Algific talus slopes. Rare in NC and in lakes area. NC, NW Yes Yes .
Senecio pauperculus Michx. . Prairie ragwort Asteraceae Packera paupercula (Michx.) Love & Love . Moist prairies. Frequent in NC & SE. Rare in NE. NE, NC, SE Yes Yes .
Senecio plattensis Nutt. . Prairie ragwort Asteraceae Packera plattensis (Nutt.) Weber & Love . Prairies. Woodland openings. Infrequent in SW. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Senecio pseudaureus Rydb. var. semicordatus (Mack. & Bush) T. Barkley . Asteraceae Packera pseudaurea (Rydb.) Weber & Love var. semicordatus (Mack. & Bush) Trock & T. Barkley Edges of moist, wooded slopes. Loess Hills. Rare in C [Story County], WC -[Monona County], and N [ Clay (1936), Dickinson (1949), Emmet (1882), Hancock, & Winneshiek Counties]. NE, NC, NW, C, WC Yes Yes .
Senecio vulgaris L. . Common groundsel Asteraceae Senecio vulgaris L. . Moist disturbed soil. Rare in C [Boone County]. C No No .
Silphium integrifolium Michx. . Rosinweed Asteraceae Silphium integrifolium Michx. . Prairie remnants. Old pastures. Open, sandy soil. Frequent to common S 1/2 of state. Infrequent to rare in NE 1/4. NE, NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes FNA includes 2 varieties in Iowa: var. integrifolium & var. laeve Torrey & A. Gray
Silphium laciniatum L. . Compass plant Asteraceae Silphium laciniatum L. . Prairie remnants. Roadsides. Along railroads. Common in W 1/2 of state. Frequent to infrequent in E 1/2 of state. All Yes Yes .
Silphium perfoliatum L. . Cup plant Asteraceae Silphium perfoliatum L. var. perfoliatum Moist alluvial woods & woodland edges. Prairie swales. Roadsides. Frequent to common throughout most of the state. Infrequent in NW. All Yes Yes .
Silphium terebinthinaceum Jacq. . Prairie dock Asteraceae Silphium terebinthinaceum Jacq var. terebinthinaceum Prairies. Along railroads. Rare in NE [Dubuque County] & in EC [Jackson County]. NE, EC Yes Yes .
Solidago canadensis L. . Tall goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago canadensis L. var. hargeri Fern. Roadsides. Disturbed prairies. Open woods. Frequent to common throughout the state. All Yes Yes E&R list 4 varieties in Iowa: var. canadensis, var. gilvocanescens Rydb., var. hargeri Fern., var scabra (Muhl.) T&G. FNA lists only var. hargeri Fern. in Iowa. FNA segregates var. gilvocanescens Rydb. as S. altissima ssp. gilvocanescens (Rydb.) Semple
Solidago flexicaulis L. . Zig-zag goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago flexicaulis L. . Moist woods and wooded slopes. Not reported from NW. Infrequent in Iowan Surface. Frequent to common elsewhere. NE, NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Solidago gigantea Aiton . Smooth goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago gigantea Aiton . Woodland borders. Roadsides. Loess bluffs. Moist, open habitats. Frequent to common throughout. All Yes Yes E&R includes 2 varieties: var. gigantea & var. serotina (Kuntze) Cronq. FNA does not split the taxon into subspecific categories.
Solidago hispida Muhl. ex Willd. . . Asteraceae Solidago hispida Muhl. ex Willd. . Dry, rocky woods. Rare in the Paleozoic Plateau & the extreme E. NE, EC, SE Yes Yes .
Solidago missouriensis Nutt. . Missouri goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago missouriensis Nutt. . Upland prairie remnants. Loess bluffs. Common in W 2/3 of state. Infrequent to rare in E. All Yes Yes E&R include 2 varieties in Iowa: var. missouriensis & var. fasciculata Holz. FNA does not split the taxon into subspecific categories. FNA does NOT include this taxon in Iowa.
Solidago nemoralis Aiton . Field goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago nemoralis Aiton . Open woods. Fields. Prairie remnants. Frequent to common throughout most of the state. Infrequent in NW. All Yes Yes E&R include 2 varieties: var. nemoralis & var. longipetiolata (Mack. & Bush) Palmer & Steyermark. FNA includes the 1st E&R var. as ssp. nemoralis and the 2nd E&R var. as ssp. decemflora (DC) Brammall ex Semple
Solidago patula Muhl. ex Willd. . . Asteraceae Solidago patula Muhl. ex Willd. ssp. patula Wooded, sandy soil. Fens. Rare in SE [Muscatine County]. SE Yes Yes .
Solidago ptarmicoides (Nees) Boivin . . Asteraceae Solidago ptarmicoides (T&G) Boivin . Often sandy or rocky, dry prairies. Absent in SC. Infrequent to rare elsewhere. NE, NC, NW, EC, C, WC, SE, SW Yes Yes .
Solidago riddellii Frank ex Riddell . Riddell's goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago riddellii Frank ex Riddell . Marshes. Moist calcareous prairies. Sedge meadows. Fens. Frequent in NC and in lakes area. Rare in NE & in SE [Muscatine County (1895)]. NE, NC, NW, SE. Yes Yes FNA does not include this taxon in Iowa.
Solidago rigida L. . Stiff goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago rigida L. . Prairies. Loess bluffs. Infrequent in SE. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes E&R includes 2 varieties: var. rigida & var. humilis Porter. FNA lists 2 subspecies: ssp. rigida & ssp. humilis (Porter) Heard & Semple.
Solidago sciaphila Steele . Cliff goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago sciaphila Steele . Algific talus slopes. Rock cliffs. Ledges. Frequent to common in Paleozoic Plateau. Rare in EC [Jackson & Clinton Counties]. NE, EC Yes Yes .
Solidago speciosa Nutt. . Showy goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago speciosa Nutt. ssp. speciosa Prairies. Open woods. Loess bluffs. Common in NC. Rare in SE. Frequent to infrequent elsewhere. All Yes Yes E&R includes 3 varieties: var. speciosa, var. jejunifolia (Steele) Cronq., var. rigidiuscula T&G. FNA lists S. speciosa ssp. speciosa var. speciosa [= var. jejunifolia (Steele) Cronq. of E&R] & S. speciosa ssp. speciosa var. rigidiuscula T&G in Iowa.
Solidago uliginoisa Nutt. . Swamp goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago uliginoisa Nutt. . Fens. Rare in NE [Allamakee County]. NE Yes Yes FNA does not include this taxon in Iowa.
Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd. . Elm-leaved goldenrod Asteraceae Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd. var. ulmifolia Open, upland woods. Rare in NW. Common elsewhere. All Yes Yes .
Sonchus arvensis L. . Perennial sow thistle Asteraceae Sonchus arvensis L. . Roadsides. Disturbed soil. Rare in E 1/4 of state. Infrequent elsewhere. All No No E&R includes 2 ssp: ssp. arvensis & ssp. uliginosis (Bieb.) Nyman. FNA includes the same ssp.
Sonchus asper (L.) Hill . Spiny-leaved sow thistle Asteraceae Sonchus asper (L.) Hill . Waste places. Roadsides. Fields. Disturbed soil Infrequent to rare in E 1/4 of state. Frequent to common elsewhere. All No No .
Sonchus oleraceus L. . Common sow thistle Asteraceae Sonchus oleraceus L. . Waste places. Fields. Woodland borders. Frequent in S 1/2, NC, & in lakes area. Rare in extreme E. All Yes Yes .
Tanacetum vulgare L. . Tansy Asteraceae Tanacetum vulgare L. . Roadsides. Pastures. Waste places. Rare escapee from cultivation. All No No .
Taraxacum laevigatum (Willd.) DC. . Red-seeded dandelion Asteraceae Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrz. ex Besser . Weed of lawns. Alluvial woodslands. Disturbed prairie. Infrequent to frequent throughout. All No No .
Taraxacum officinale Weber . Common dandelion Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale Wiggers . Weed of lawns. Fields. Roadsides. Other disturbed habitats. Common throughout. All No No .
Tragopogon dubius Scop. . Goat's-beard Asteraceae Tragopogon dubius Scop. . Roadsides. Along railroads. Pastures. Disturbed prairies. Infrequent in NE. Common elsewhere. All No No E&R includes 2 subspecies in Iowa: ssp. dubius & ssp. major (Jacq.) Voll. FNA does not include any subspecific categories.
Tragopogon porrifolius L. . Salsify, oyster plant Asteraceae Tragopogon porrifolius L. . Roadsides. Along railroads. Other disturbed habitats. Rare in NC & SE. NC, SE No No .
Tragopogon pratensis L. . Goat's-beard Asteraceae Tragopogon pratensis L. . Disturbed woods. Roadsides. Waste places. Rare in NW and NE. Infrequent elsewhere in the state. All No No .
Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton . Wingstem Asteraceae Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney . Alluvial woods. Common in SC. Frequent in SE. Rare in NC. NC, SE, SC Yes Yes .
Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Bentham & Hooker f. ex Gray ssp. exauriculata (B.L. Robinson & Greenman) Coleman . Asteraceae Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Bentham & Hooker f. ex A. Gray . Disturbed habitats. Rare in C [Story County (1934)], WC [Harrison County (1942), & NW [Emmet (1934) & Palo Alto (1934) Counties]. NW, C, WC No No .
Vernonia baldwinii Torrey . Baldwin's ironweed Asteraceae Vernonia baldwinii Torrey . Prairie remnants. Open woods. Pastures. Frequent to common in S 1/2 of the state. Rare in NC section. NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW Yes Yes E&R lists 2 varieties: var. baldwinii & var. interior (Small) Schub. FNA lists no subspecific categories.
Vernonia fasciculata Michx. . Ironweed Asteraceae Vernonia fasciculata Michx. . Moist prairies. Roadsides. Other open, moist habitats. Infrequent in NW and SC. Frequent to common elsewhere. All Yes Yes E&R includes 2 subspecies: ssp. fasciculata & ssp. corymbosa (Schwein. ex Keating) S. B . Jones. FNA includes no subspecific categories.
Vernonia gigantea (Walter) Trel. ex Branner & Cov. . Tall Ironweed Asteraceae Vernonia gigantea (Walter) Branner & Cov. . Low woods. Open ground. Frequent to infrequent in SW 1/4. C, WC, SC, SW Yes Yes .
Vernonia missurica Raf. . Missouri ironweed Asteraceae Vernonia missurica Raf. . Prairie remnants. Open, grazed woods. Pastures. Frequent in SE. Rare in NW. NW, SE Yes Yes .
Xanthium spinosum L. . Spiny cocklebur Asteraceae Xanthium spinosum L. . Fields. Disturbed soil. Rare in C: [Dallas & Story counties]. C No No .
Xanthium strumarium L. . Cocklebur Asteraceae Xanthium strumarium L. . Roadsides. Fields. Pastures. Other disturbed habitats. Frequent to common throughout. All No No E&R includes 3 varieties: var. strumarium, var. canadensis (P. Miller) T&G, var. glabratum (DC.) Cronq. FNA includes no subspecific categories.

A total of 264 Asteraceae were recorded from the state of Iowa.


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