Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) vs. Yellow Crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis)
Updated November 30th, 2022These species are visually similar and are easily confused, especially as young V. alternifolia plants can have opposite leaves. They are easily distinguished, however, by a long list of subtle differences including in flowerheads, seedheads, and leaf shape. V. alternifolia ranges farther north and much farther west, whereas V. occidentalis ranges farther into the southeastern coastal plain. Their habitats have significant overlap, but V. occidentalis is slightly more tolerant of dry conditions and favors more disturbed sites and sites with rockier soils, whereas V. alternifolia is more common at higher elevations.
