Erigeron asper (Rough Fleabane) - photos and description
Basal leaf in above photo
Stem leaf in above photo
General: Erect plant, usually with several stems from the crown. Stems and leaves somewhat rough to touch.
Flowers: Long flowering stems with usually 1 (occasionally up to 3) flower heads. Flower heads with narrow white ray florets, flower heads measured to 3.5 cm in diameter. Flowers early June.
Leaves: Basal leaves linear to oblanceolate, basal leaf highlighted above was 14.5 cm long (including petiole) and 1.5 cm wide. Stem leaves sessile, reduced in size upwards, alternate, linear-lanceolate, stem leaf highlighted in photo was 4 cm long and 1 cm wide. Leaves entire, hairy both sides with short stiff hairs.
Height: Height listed in Budd's Flora to 30 cm. We measured plants to 40 cm tall.
Habitat: Dry prairie and hillsides.
Abundance: Common.
Origin: Native.
Synonym: Some authorities consider the plant on this page, Erigeron asper, to be merely a form of Erigeron glabellus.
How to identify this species of Erigeron: stems erect, leaves reduced, 20-40 cm tall, 1 headed, ligules white, flowers in June (Taxonomic Reminder for Recognizing Saskatchewan Plants).
When and where photographed: Photos taken June 9th, grassy slopes of the Qu'Appelle Valley, 40 km north of Regina, SK, and June 11th on a prairie pasture, about 125 km west of our home in Regina, SK.