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Erigeron philadelphicus L.

Common fleabane

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusErigeronFrom Greek eri, “early,” and geron, “old man,” for the fluffy white seed heads and early flowering
Speciesphiladelphicus“From Philadelphia”

About plant names...

Common fleabane is native to North America.

Identification: Plants are up to 3′ (1 m) high, with ribbed stems covered with soft white hairs. The hairs grow outward from the stem, rather than lying against it as with some species. A basal rosette of leaves consists of a spatula-shaped leaves up to 4″ (10 cm) × 1″ (3 cm). The leaves have coarse serrations and may be rounded or pointed at the tip. They may be lance-shaped, but show a wide range of shapes. Leaves higher on the stem usually clasp the stem. Flowers are pale pink, sometimes white, up to ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) around, with 100-300 petals (more than any other fleabane) and a yellow central disk. The petals are so fine that they often look a bit disheveled, like windblown hair. They flower from April to June. The achenes (seeds) have tiny parachutes, like those of dandelions.

 

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

4/8/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, Monkton Rd, Sparks, Mary­land · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain

Here are some similar fleabanes:

 
Erigeron annuus

Erigeron filifolius
You are here
Erigeron philadelphicus
Common Name

daisy fleabane

threadleaf daisy

common fleabane
Plant

 

Up to 5′ (1.5 m) high. Stems have white hairs that grow outward from the stem.
Up to 2′ (60 cm) in height. Stems have dense stiff white hairs. Plants are found at elevations between 4000-6500′ (1.2-2.0 km).

 

Up to 3′ (1 m) high, with ribbed stems covered with soft white hairs. The hairs grow outward from the stem.
Flowers

 

White or light pink, about ½″ (1.3 cm) across, over 100 narrow petals and yellow centers. Flowers from April to November.
Flowers may be white, but they are usually violet in color.

 

Flowers are pale pink, sometimes white, up to ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) around, with 100-300 petals (more than any other fleabane) and a yellow central disk. They flower from April to June.
Leaves Leaves alternate, attached to stem but not wrapped around it. Upper leaves narrow and pointed at the ends, with coarse teeth or sometimes no teeth. Lower leaves are more egg-shaped. Leaves are very narrow. Basal leaves are spatula-shaped, up to 4″ (10 cm) × 1″ (3 cm), with coarse teeth. Upper leaves may be lance-shaped, but show a wide range of shapes. They usually clasp the stem.
Range/ Zones

USDA Zones: 3a-8a

USDA Zones: 2-7
Habitats Moist or semi-moist disturbed areas, pastures, abandoned fields, roadsides   Moist soils at the edges of fresh bodies of water, waste areas, fields, roadsides
Type Wild Wild Wild
Occurrence Common   Common

 

 
Erigeron strigosus
Common Name

rough fleabane
Plant

 

These plants have an erect stem that has many fine white hairs, and are 1-3′ (30-91 cm) tall. The hairs are antrorse strigose—they lie down against the stem, in the upward direction.
Flowers

 

White, about ½″ (1.5 cm) in diameter, with 50-100 petals, and a yellow central disk. They flower from May to September.
Leaves Mostly narrow, with a few fatter in the center, attached directly to the stem but not wrapped around it. Leaves mostly untoothed.
Range/ Zones

Habitats Dry prairies, well-lit woods and fields, disturbed ground, roadsides
Type Wild
Occurrence Common

 

Edibility: Not edible. May cause a contact dermatitis in some individuals.

Online References:

Missouriplants.com

Illinois Wildflowers

CalPhotos

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

The USDA Plants Database

Calflora

EFloras

References:

Peterson, Roger Tory, McKenny, Margaret, Peterson Field Guides: Wildflowers—Northeastern and North Central North America, Houghton Mifflin, 1968, p. 308

Newcomb, Lawrence, Morrison, Gordon (Illus.), Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, Little, Brown and Company, 1977, p. 382

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

4/8/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, Monkton Rd, Sparks, Mary­land · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) ID is uncertain

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

5/25/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

4/8/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, Monkton Rd, Sparks, Mary­land · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

 

Erigeron philadelphicus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.

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Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

4/8/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, Monkton Rd, Sparks, Mary­land · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Erigeron philadelphicus (common fleabane)

6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Range: Zones 2-7:

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