Claim: Vernonia noveboracensis is a herbaceous plant, or  vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground, with alternate, simple leaves, on stiff, greenish purple stems and has purple flowers borne in only two seasons.
Evidence: Vernonia noveboracensis is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on stiff, greenish purple stems. Herbaceous plants in botany, frequently shortened to herbs, are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. The flowers are purple, borne in summer and fall.