How to identify Bitter fleabane (Erigeron acris)
Bitter fleabane, also known as Northern daisy
Bitter fleabane displays delicate, daisy-like flower heads with numerous thin, lilac or pinkish ray florets surrounding a yellow disc center. Typically, the blooms reach about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across. This plant forms a rosette of narrow, lance-shaped leaves at the base from which one or more slightly hairy stems arise, each stem sometimes branching and bearing multiple flowers. The foliage is medium green, and the stems may grow up to 16 inches high (40 cm). The overall impression is of a slender, airy wildflower.
Lifespan: Perennial, Annual, Biennial
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen
Delicate, daisy-like flowers with pink to white rays and yellow centers, around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Distinct dry fruits, achene with brown color and silken-haired pappus for aerial dispersal.
Spatula-shaped basal leaves with lobes, becoming lance-shaped, smooth-edged, and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long.
Single, unbranched stem, green to reddish, 0.08-0.2 inches (2-5 mm) thick, with slight ridges.
Erect growth habit with medium green foliage and stems reaching up to 16 inches (40 cm) in height.
The basal leaves of bitter fleabane are spatula-shaped, with lobes and teeth along the edges. As the leaves ascend the stem, they decrease in size, become alternate, clasp the stem, and are smooth-edged. Their texture ranges from smooth to sparsely hairy. Higher up, the leaves become more lance- or egg-shaped. Typically, these leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length. The vein pattern is prominent and noticeable, with the main vein running centrally along the leaf.
Bitter fleabane features daisy-like flowers around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. The flowers have numerous pink to white thread-like rays surrounding a yellow center. Each petal-like ray is thin and narrow, giving the flower a delicate and intricate appearance. The blooms are typically scentless and emerge in clusters, thriving in late summer to early autumn. The contrasting yellow centers are prominent, aiding in easy identification of bitter fleabane in the wild.
The stem of bitter fleabane is green to reddish in color, standing erect, single, and unbranched. It features a smooth texture and varies in thickness, generally measuring around 0.08 to 0.2 inches (2 to 5 mm) in diameter. The stem surface may also exhibit slight ridges, providing a firm structure. This vertical growth pattern, without branching, is a distinct characteristic useful in identifying bitter fleabane.
The fruit of bitter fleabane is a dry, one-seeded achene which, when mature, exhibits a brown hue. Each fruit is distinguished by a prominent tuft of fine, silken hairs known as a pappus. The pappus serves a critical function in seed dispersal, catching the breeze to carry the achenes away from the parent plant. The lightweight and smooth texture of these fruits, coupled with their aerial dispersal strategy, are key identification features. Typically, the size of these fruits is small, though precise measurements vary.
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Scientific Classification of Bitter fleabane
