tall ironweed, Vernonia angustifolia

Who picks these common names? Tall ironweed was the shortest blooming Vernonia I've seen. With narrower leaves and smaller flower heads, it just didn't seem to deserve that epithet. No mind, the intense flowers always dazzle a bit. But out of curiosity what does FNA say? Yep, it's short, at least in comparison to the ironweeds we're used to in the Midwest. Tall ironweed typically doesn't exceed one meter. It also blooms a little earlier down there in AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, and SC. Wakulla Co FL, 7/8/18. Aster family, Asteraceae.