Vernonia baldwinii
grows in meadows on the plains. Plants grow up to 5 feet tall. Clusters of purple
flower heads are at the tops of the stems. Heads have disk flowers only and look
like the horticultural Bachelor's Buttons. Leaves are alternate, broadly lanceolate
and finely toothed. Leaves and stems are pubescent, with short hairs.
The University of Colorado Herbarium has just 3 records of Vernonia baldwinii
in Colorado. The plants in the photos were growing at the Rocky Mountain National
Wildlife Refuge, one of the three recorded populations.
