Genus Vernonia, also known as the ironweed family, is a group of flowering plants that belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is a diverse genus with around 1000 species, including herbs, shrubs, and trees. Some common synonyms for genus Vernonia include elephant's foot, purple ironweed, tall ironweed, and New York ironweed. These synonyms mostly refer to the appearance and characteristics of the plants, such as their thick stems and deep purple flowers. While genus Vernonia is typically considered a medicinal herb in traditional medicine, it is also used as an ornamental plant. The various species of genus Vernonia often differ in their appearance and properties, making them an interesting subject of study for botanists.