Native Plant Database

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Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Erigeron philadelphicus L.

Fleabane daisy, Philadelphia fleabane

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: ERPH

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The fleabane daisy grows along roadsides and in fields and woodlands. It has more than 150 threadlike, white ray flowers. The center, disk flowers are 5-toothed and yellow, and there are many flower heads to each much-branched stem. The yellow center with the large number of very fine ray flowers is the best identification. They are much finer than those of other daisies or asters. Flower heads are 1/2-3/4 inch across.

The geneus name, from Greek eri (early) and geron (old man), presumably refers to the fact that the plant flowers early and has a hoary down suggesting an old mans beard. Robins Plaintain (E. pulchellus) is slightly shorter and has fewer, but larger, lilac or violet flower heads, as well as stem leaves that are sparse and stalkless but do not clasp the stem; it is insect-pollinated and also spreads actively by runners.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NV , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NT , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Throughout East, except Arctic; also in much of West.
Native Habitat: Rich thickets, fields, and open woods.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Erigeron philadelphicus is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Northern Metalmark
(Calephelis borealis)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
A Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, G.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Erigeron philadelphicus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Erigeron philadelphicus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Erigeron philadelphicus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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