The yellow and white flowers of this annual (or sometimes biennial) plant are not fragrant. They make an attractive addition to prairie gardens, attracting butterflies and bees in spring and early summer when there aren’t a lot of other plants in flower. Because they can self-fertilize, cross-pollination is not necessary for plants to set fertile seed. These seeds have a tuft of hair-like bristles that help them drift on the wind.

Flower Colour:

• White

Flowering Season:

• Spring
• Summer

Flowering Months:

• April
• August
• July
• June
• May

Canadian Rarity Status:

Not rare. Listed as “may be at risk” in Saskatchewan.

Physical Appearance:

The hairy, mostly unbranched stems grow 15 – 70 cm tall. Leaves are alternate and narrowly spoon-shaped, becoming smaller and sparser up the stem. Each flowering heads (8-12 mm across) consists of 40 – 100 ray florets with rounded tips, and numerous 5-lobed disc florets – all with a tuft of short bristles. Narrow, hairy bracts occur in two to four rows behind each head. Fruits are achenes with hair-like bristles that help distribution of seeds by the wind.

Similar Species:

Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus L.), Smooth Fleabane, Tufted Fleabane (Erigeron caespitosus Nutt.)

Gardening Notes:

Seeds and/or plants may be available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants.

Canadian Distribution:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland/Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan

Prairie Types:

• Fescue Prairie
• Mixed Grass Prairie
• Tall Grass Prairie

Habitats:

• Disturbed Areas
• Forest Edges
• Meadows
• Parklands
• Prairies
• Railways
• Roadsides

Moisture Conditions:

• Dry
• Moderate

Light Preference:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Soil Preference:

• Clay
• Gravel
• Sand