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Erigeron philadelphicus
Philadelphia Fleabane
At a Glance: Short-lived perennial with erect stem-base and taproot or fibrous roots.
Height: Up to 2.25 feet (70 cm).
Growth Form: Herb.
Leaves: Basal leaves broadly lance-shaped, coarsely toothed, hairy, short stalked; stem leaves progressively reduced in size, lance-shaped, stalkless, clasping at base, often toothed; size: varies; color: green.
Flowers: Numerous very narrow ray flowers; disk flowers yellow, involucres 4-6 mm high, bracts lance-oblong, with broad, clear margins, hairy on midvein or hairless; heads few to many; primary color: Ray flowers pink to purple to white; size: 2-3 cm (.8-1 in) wide; shape: disk shaped.
Flowering Period: June.
Fruits: Sparsely hairy achenes; pappus hairs whitish, fragile.
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 full sun > 80% mostly sunny 60%-80%  partial sun and shade 40%- 60% mostly shady 60%-80% full shade > 80%
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wet moist dry
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low elevation mid elevation sub-alpine high elevation
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Aquatic and Wetland:
Ponds or lakes Shallow pools Sloughs Swales or wet ditches Seasonally inundated areas Marshes or swamps Aquatic bed wetlands Emergent wetlands Scrub-shrub wetlands Forested wetlands Bogs, fens Seeps, springs
Lake shores Bog margins Streams or rivers Stream or river banks Riparian corridors River bars Floodplains Bottomlands Alluvial areas |
Saltwater Areas:
In or near saltwater Mud flats Tidal areas Estuaries Saltmarshes Brackish water Seashores Coastal dunes or beaches
Coastal bluffs Cliffs Rocky slopes Outcrops Crevices Glacial outwash Gullies Slide areas
Heaths Snow beds Tundra Avalanche tracks |
Forests and Thickets:
Forests and woods Open forests Coniferous forests Old growth forests Deciduous forests Mixed forests Nurse logs Forest edges, openings, or clearings Thickets
Pastures or fields Meadows or grassy areas Mossy areas
Roadsides Trailsides Logged sites Burned areas Disturbed sites |
Material Uses: The European species of Erigeron were believed to drive fleas away.
Name Info: "Erigeron" is derived from the Greek eri meaning spring and geron meaning old man, in reference to the white-hairy fruiting heads.
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Suggested References
- Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist. 1973. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 515.
- Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 306.
- Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 310.
- Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 284.
The landscaping and restoration information provided on this page is taken from the Starflower Foundation Image Herbarium. All photographs © Starflower Foundation unless otherwise noted.
