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{{for|the town|Vernonia, Oregon}}

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Vernonia''
| image = Vernonia baldwinii.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = ''[[Vernonia baldwinii]]''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| genus = '''''Vernonia'''''
| genus_authority = [[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber|Schreb.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
About 1000; see text
}}

'''''Vernonia''''' is a genus of about 1000 [[species]] of [[forb]]s and [[shrub]]s in the family [[Asteraceae]].  Some species are sometimes known as '''ironweeds'''.  Some species are edible and of economic value. They are known for having intense [[purple]] flowers.  The genus is named for English botanist [[William Vernon (botanist)|William Vernon]]. There are numerous distinct subgenera and subsections in this [[genus]]. This has led some botanists to divide this large genus into smaller groups which separate the species into distinct genera. For instance, the Flora of North America only recognizes about 20 species, 17 of which are in North America or n. Mexico, with the other two or three being found in South America.<ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=134497 Flora of North America: Vernonia]</ref> 

== Uses ==
Several species of ''Vernonia'', including ''V. calvoana'', ''V. amygdalina'', and ''V. colorata'', are eaten as [[leaf vegetable]]s.  Common names for these species include '''bitterleaf''', '''ewuro''', and '''ndole'''.  They are common in most [[West Africa]]n and [[Central Africa]]n countries.  They are one of the most widely consumed leaf vegetables of [[Cameroon]], where they are a key ingredient of [[ndole stew]].  The leaves have a sweet and bitter taste.  They are sold fresh or [[drying (food)|dried]], and are a typical ingredient in [[egusi soup]]. 

''V. amygdalina'' is well known as a medicinal plant with several uses attributed to it, including for [[diabetes]], fever reduction,  and recently a non-pharmaceutical solution to persistent fever, headache, and joint pain associated with [[AIDS]] (an infusion of the plant is taken as needed).<ref>[http://www.aegis.org/conferences/iac/1993/WSB326.html Herbal medicine--its use in treating some symptoms of AIDS; 9th International AIDS Conference]</ref><ref>[http://www.ossrea.net/ssrr/no30/ssrr30-04.htm Report:INDIGENOUS APPROACHES TO THE HIV/AIDS SCOURGE IN UGANDA, Chap. 5]</ref> These leaves are exported from several African countries and can be purchased inexpensively in grocery stores aiming to serve African clients for about $1.50/225gm pkg. frozen. The roots of ''V. amygdalina'' have been used for gingivitis and toothache due to its proven antimicrobial activity.<ref>[http://www.bioline.org.br/request?tc05007 TRADITIONAL MEDICINE DEVELOPMENT FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM IN AFRICA. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Vol. 2, Num. 1, 2005, pp. 46-61]</ref> 

''V. galamensis'' is used as an [[oilseed]] in [[East Africa]].

''Vernonia'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Coleophora|Coleophora vernoniaeella]]'' (which feeds exclusively on the genus) and ''[[Schinia|Schinia regia]]'' (which feeds exclusively on ''V. texana'').

== Species ==
[[Image:Vernonia altissima.jpg|thumb|px200|Ironweed (''Vernonia altissima'')]]
Species of this genus are found in [[South America]], [[Africa]], s.e. [[Asia]], and [[North America]]. ''Vernonia'' species are well known for [[hybrid]]izing between similar species in areas of overlapping ranges. There are approximately 1000 species of ''Vernonia'', a partial species list is given below. [[Vernonia (list of Species)|Click here for a full species list]]. 

===North America===
*''[[Vernonia acaulis]]''
*''[[Vernonia altissima]]
*''[[Vernonia arkansana]]''
*''[[Vernonia angustifolia]]''
*''[[Vernonia baldwinii]]''
*''[[Vernonia blodgettii]]''
*''[[Vernonia fasciculata]]''
*''[[Vernonia flaccidifolia]]''
*''[[Vernonia gigantea]]''
*''[[Vernonia glauca]]''
*''[[Vernonia larseniae]]''
*''[[Vernonia lettermannii]]''
*''[[Vernonia lindheimeri]]''
*''[[Vernonia marginata]]''
*''[[Vernonia missurica]]''
*''[[Vernonia noveboracensis]]''
*''[[Vernonia pulchella]]''
*''[[Vernonia texana]]''

===Africa===
*''[[Vernonia amygdalina]]''
*''[[Vernonia calvoana]]''
*''[[Vernonia colorata]]''
*''[[Vernonia galamensis]]''
*''[[Vernonia staehelinoides]]''

== See also ==
* [[Vernonia oil]]

== External links ==
* {{cite web
 | url=http://199.133.210.23/ICISWeb/VernSearch.asp
 | title=Vernonia Information System
 | publisher=Arid Land Agricultural Research Center
 | accessdate=2006-09-10
}}
* {{cite web
 | url=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/vernonia.html
 | title=Crop fact sheet for ''V. galamensis''
 | publisher=Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products
 | accessdate=2006-09-10
}}
{{unimelb|Vernonia.html}}
* {{cite web
 | url=http://www.bioline.org.br/request?nd05028
 | title=Effect of Processing and Preservation Methods on Vitamin C and Total Carotenoid Levels of some ''Vernonia'' (Bitter Leaf) Species
 | accessdate=2006-09-10
}}

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]
[[Category:Asteraceae]]