Arkansas ironweed is native to the southern-central US. It bears bracts of large 1.25 inch pinkish-purple flowers in late summer that are attractive to hummingbirds. It has unusual thread-like appendages leading to its alternative common name of curlytop ironweed. Arkansas ironweed grows to a height of about six feet and a width of about five feet and has long, narrow leaves sometimes up to seven inches long.

In an evaluation of ironweeds conducted at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Arkansas ironweed received a good rating for growing in local conditions, although some late season mildew and rust was observed on the plants in the trial.