Asteraceae : Erigeron pumilis
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Family Name
Asteraceae
Common Name
Shaggy fleabane, Low fleabane
Native American Name
Lakota: ''canxlogan hu pteptecela''
Description
Erigeron pumilus is a taprooted perennial with a simple to branched caudex with ascending to erect stems, 5–30 cm tall covered with long, spreading hairs, many of which are glandular toward the top. The basal and alternate cauline leaves are simple, entire, the blades are linear- to narrowly oblanceolate, 15–80 mm long and up to 8 mm wide. The inflorescence is a cluster of heads (1-many) that are 7-15 mm in diameter. The involucre is 4–8 mm high, the bracts in 2 to 4 series, with minutely glandular hairs and a brownish midvein. Each head has 50–100 white to pinkish (occasionally bluish) ray flowers, the ligules 5–12 mm long. Corollas of the disk flowers are yellow and 2–5 mm long. Achenes are 1–2 mm long with a pappus of 2 rows of bristles. Shaggy fleabane blooms from June into August on dry high plains and prairies predominantly in west river South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Collect seed in Jun.-Aug from the fluffy puffballs that form.
Germination: No pretreatment needed
Soils: Likes rich well-drained soils.
Light: Full sun
Water: Dry to moderately moist conditions.
Additional Notes
Shaggy fleabane is an attractive addition to any native plant garden. It is easy to grow and creates large clusters of showy white flowers. It attracts bees and butterflies and will live for several years and can reseed itself.