Alternate name: Swamp Sunflower

Family: Asteraceae, Aster view all from this family

Description Wide-spreading branches bear daisylike flowers at their ends. Stems and leaves are covered in erect hairs.
Flowers: 2 1/2" (6.5 cm) wide; ray florets yellow, 10-12; disk florets purple-brown.
Leaves: linear to narrowly lanceolate, rough, hairy, with curled-under edges.
Height: 6' (1.8 m).

Flower June-November.

Habitat Floodplains, bottomlands, moist pinelands, flatwoods, roadsides, ditches, fields.

Range Eastern United States from southern New York to south-central Florida, west to southern Illinois, southeastern Arkansas and Texas.

Discussion This native eastern wildflower is often sold as a garden plant. It is valued for its late-season color and as a nectar source for fall butterflies. It grows well in moist soil and will also adapt to drier conditions.