Erigeron annuus

Description

Erigeron annuus often grows as an annual plant but can sometimes grow as a biennial. It is herbaceous with alternate, simple leaves, and green, sparsely hairy stems, which can grow to between 30 and 150 centimeters (about 1 to 5 feet) in height. Leaves are numerous and large relative to other species of Erigeron, with lower leaves, especially basal leaves, coarsely toothed or cleft, a characteristic readily distinguishing this species from most other Erigeron. Upper leaves are sometimes (not always) toothed, but may have a few coarse teeth towards the outer tips.

The flower heads are white with yellow centers, with rays that are white to pale lavender, borne spring through fall depending on the individual plant. Ray florets number 40 to 100.

Distribution and habitat

Erigeron annuus is native to North America and Central America. It has been introduced to many other places, including Korea, Europe, India, and other areas in Asia.

Erigeron annuus grows well in full through partial sun on sites with ample moisture. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including gravel and clay. In hot, dry weather, lower leaves often yellow and wither.

Ecology

Erigeron annuus is a native pioneer species that often colonizes disturbed areas such as pastures, abandoned fields, vacant lots, roadsides, railways, and waste areas. In these habitats it competes, often successfully, with introduced invasive weeds.

Flowers are pollinated by a variety of bees, including little carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, halictine bees, and masked bees; as well as flies, including syrphid flies, bee flies, tachinid flies, flesh flies, anthomyiid flies, and muscid flies. Wasps, small butterflies, and other insects also visit the flowers to a lesser degree, seeking nectar, as well as a few pollen-feeding beetles.

Schinia lynx (lynx flower moth) caterpillars feed on the flowers and seeds of annual fleabane and other fleabanes, and Lygus lineolaris (tarnished plant bug) sucks the plant juices. Some mammals eat the foliage, flowers and stems, including sheep, groundhogs, and rabbits.

References

| access-date = 23 September 2021

References

1. [[Ann Fowler Rhoads]] and Timothy A. Block, Ill. Ann Anisko, ''Plants of Pennsylvania'', 2nd ed, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007. pp. 923.
2. David M. Brandenburg, ''Field Guide to Wildflowers of North America'', National Wildlife Federation, Sterling Publishing Co., New York, 2010, pp. 150.
3. {{Illinois Wildflowers. weeds. plants. an_fleabane. Annual Fleabane (''Erigeron annuus'')
4. {{EFloras. 1. 200023888. Erigeron annuus. Guy L.. Nesom
5. (3 August 2006). "Annual Fleabane".
6. It is widespread in most of the [[United States]], especially in the eastern part of its range, but occurs only in scattered locations in the western and southernmost parts of its range.[http://bonap.net/MapGallery/State/Erigeron%20annuus.png Biota of North America Program 2014 state-level distribution map]
7. {{PLANTS
8. {{EFloras. 2. 200023888. Erigeron annuus
9. [http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=erigeron+annuus Altervista Flora Italiana, Cespica annua, ''Erigeron annuus'' (L.) Desf.] includes photos and European distribution map
10. "개망초".