Tag: Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)

Today’s Favorite Flower

September 2, 2026

Volunteers of native Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) are growing in the gardens of my yard. That brings me great pleasure as I walk about, here on the mountain. Many cool flowers attracting many pollinators. Among many things that I love about this plant is that deer are not really interested in eating it, though we know that they’ll eat anything if they’re hungry.

Wingstem is a host plant of Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis).

Pure charm in a brilliant shade of yellow.

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Gorgeous Wingstem

September 2, 2025

I have so many favorites in the world of nature. This is one of them. Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), seen here in Shenandoah National Park. Right now it is decorating roadsides with its brilliant lemon yellow.

Wingstem is quite popular with pollinators. This is a Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) enjoying the Wingstem’s nectar.

The flowers of this plant are composite flowers which are made up of a cluster of tiny flowers called florets that together create a bigger form that appears to be a single bloom. The little florets include ray flowers on the outside appearing to be petals, and also disk flowers at the center. Other composite flowers include daisies and sunflowers.

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