Isn't that a Vernonia? I've never seen one in the flesh but I'm sure someone can tell you which ones are likely.

Yes hmm, so after reviewing all the North American species...I narrowed it down to Vernonia baldwinii (Western Ironweed), Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed), and Vernonia glauca (Broadleaf Ironweed) due to their similarly wider leaves and modest height.

But, I think I'm going to go with Vernonia baldwinii out of these. Which seems to be prevalent in this area, albeit normally larger with much more profuse flowering. But, I think this one probably just grew and flowered less because it was inside a shady forest...

Vernonia baldwinii.