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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>