# frostweed (*Verbesina virginica*) Frostweed is a special plant that can grow tall and has beautiful yellow flowers. It gets its name because it can look like it has frost on it when the weather is cold! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![frostweed](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Verbesina_virginica.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Verbesina_virginica.jpg) ## Appearance The frostweed has tall, sturdy green stems topped with clusters of bright white, daisy-like flowers. Its large, dark green leaves feature unique winged petioles that run down the stem. It stands out with its abundant white blooms against a backdrop of green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Verbesina ## Interesting facts - Its sturdy stems can grow taller than most kids, reaching up to two meters! - Its unique stems have green 'wings' that look like frilly ribbons! - Many types of butterflies and bees flock to its abundant, sweet white flowers for nectar. - When the weather freezes, sap pushing from its stem cracks creates amazing ice ribbons! ## Special abilities - **Ice Sculptor:** Frostweed can create beautiful ribbons of ice from its stems in freezing weather, a unique natural phenomenon. - **Winged Stems:** Frostweed has unique 'wings' running down its stems, which help support the plant and deter hungry browsers. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-200 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Monarch butterflies sip nectar from its white flowers. - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees gather nectar and pollen from its blooms. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer occasionally browse its leaves and tender stems. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's okay. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify frostweed? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is frostweed? 100-200 cm ### How wide does frostweed spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on frostweed? 1-2 cm ### When does frostweed bloom? Late summer to fall ### Is frostweed edible? No ### Is frostweed toxic? None ### What is frostweed's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Shark River Slough Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shark-river-slough-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Bernheim Forest and Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bernheim-forest-and-arboretum) — Kentucky, US · Botanical Garden - [Lost River Cave](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lost-river-cave) — Kentucky, US · Natural Landmark - [Paseo Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/paseo-park) — Texas, US · Park - [Phil Hardberger Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/phil-hardberger-park) — Texas, US · Park - [Clear Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clear-lake-park) — Florida, US · Park [View all places to see frostweed](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/frostweed) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Frostweed: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/frostweed)