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Vernonia arkansana
The plant was almost two meters tall with beautiful purplish blue blossoms in clusters. Vernonia arkansana is a species of perennial plant from Asteraceae family that can be found in south-central United States
Spotted in an overgrown meadow next to a gravel road in Drew County, Arkansas.
The plant is pollinated by various insects such as bees, butterflies, and skippers. The same fauna representatives also collect nectar. Bees like Melissodes vernoniae are frequent visitors to Vernonia plants in general. Another special guest the species attract is Aphis vernoniae, an aphid that prefers to suck on juice of the species. Various caterpillars of moths also enjoy the feeding.
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