New York Ironweed is a native wetland wildflower that occurs on the Pocosin Lakes & Alligator River National Wildlife Refuges. The plants can grow to more than 6 feet tall, bearing purple flowers that are very attractive to bees and butterflies. The flowers mature into fluffy seeds that persist on the plants until songbirds pick them off during the winter. This plant only occurs on wetland soils. Pictured butterfly is a beautiful Spicebush Swallowtail.