Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem)

The name “wingstem” comes from the raised ridges that run down the plant's long stalk. Bright yellow flowers bloom starting mid summer into fall, attracting a wide range of pollinators. In particular native bees seem to favor the blooms. Flowers of the Verbesina genus are a nectar and pollen source for several uncommon specialist bees, which can only survive off a very select few species of flowering plants.

 

Another nickname for this plant is the “golden honey plant” due to its past popularity with beekeepers. While native to Virginia, wingstem has spread well beyond its native range due to its popularity with bees causing it to be exported across the states.

Also called "Yellow ironweed," wingstem blooms earlier than New York ironweed and is similarly found along streambanks, open woods, and moist meadows.  It has strong upright stalks that rarely topple until winter. Wingstem likes moist, rich humusy or sandy soil, but can tolerate medium moisture soil once established. It has sturdy wide-ranging roots that allow it to hold onto soil, making it great for stabilizing the shores of streams and rivers.

The Verbesina genus host many insects in our area, including the Gold Moth, Summer Azure, Silvery Checkerspot, and Pearl Crescent.
Wingstem naturalizes well by self-seeding, so deadhead if you don’t want volunteers (which are easy to pull up when young, difficult when established). However, goldfinches eat the fresh arrowhead-shaped seeds in fall, and other birds such as Cardinals and Bluejays feed on them later in winter.