| ironweed | (n) any of various plants of the genus Vernonia of tropical and warm regions of especially North America that take their name from their loose heads of purple to rose flowers that quickly take on a rusty hue, Syn. vernonia |
| Ironweed | n. (Bot.) A tall weed with purplish flowers (Vernonia Noveboracensis). The name is also applied to other plants of the same genus. [ 1913 Webster ] |