Vernonia altissima Nuttall var. marginata Torrey, Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York 2: 210. 1827

Plants 3–5(–8+) dm. Stems puberulent, glabrescent. Leaves mostly cauline; blades narrowly lanceolate to lance-linear, 5–15+ cm × (2.5–)8–12+ mm, l/w = 8–20(–30+), abaxially glabrate (pitted, awl-shaped hairs in pits), adaxially puberulent, glabrescent (sometimes pitted). Heads in corymbiform arrays. Peduncles (3–)10–35 mm. Involucres narrowly campanulate, (7–)9–11 × 5–6 mm. Phyllaries 35–40+ in 5–6+ series, glabrescent, margins arachno-ciliolate, the outer lance-ovate, 1–2 mm, inner oblong to linear-oblong, 6–9+ mm, tips ± acuminate. Florets 10–25+. Cypselae 4–5 mm; pappi stramineous to purplish, outer subulate scales or bristles 30+, 0.6–2+ mm, intergrading with 40+, 8–9+ mm inner subulate scales or bristles. 2n = 34.

Flowering Jul–Aug. Ditches, sandy flats, stream banks; 600–2000 m; Colo., Kans., N.Mex., Okla., Tex.; Mexico (Coahuila).