Fleabanes are a group of herbaceous perennials in the Aster family, mainly in the genus Erigeron and a few related genera. They can be propagated by seed or division.
Native Species
There are two fleabane species that are native to Woodland and one other than is native to Yolo County.
Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) is a one- to two-foot tall fleabane that is native to all of Woodland (and throughout most of the U.S., including Philadelphia). Depending on environmental conditions, it can complete its life cycle as an annual or as a short-lived perennial. It grows along roadsides or in fields, thickets, or sunny woodlands. A single plant can bear as many as 35 flower heads. It has bisexual disk flowers and female ray flowers. It is ranked 4 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a mild tendency to cause hay fever. Philadelphia fleabane has been introduced to much of Europe and Asia, where it is an invasive weed.
Leafy Fleabane (Erigeron foliosus) is native in the Yolo County foothills but is shown here in a garden in Woodland. Photo by queerbychoice.Leafy Fleabane (Erigeron foliosus) is a one- to three-foot tall perennial that is native in the Yolo County foothills but not in Woodland. It can be planted and grown in Woodland, however. It prefers partial shade but can take considerable sun. It has multiple stems branching from the same base, with each stem bearing one or a cluster of a few flower heads at the top. It has bisexual disk flowers and female ray flowers. It is ranked 4 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a mild tendency to cause hay fever.
Horseweeds are occasionally called fleabanes and are closely related to the species above. Horseweeds are sometimes classified as part of the same genus (Erigeron) as the species above but other times classified as a separate genus (Conyza). Although it is native, the common garden weed Canada Horseweed/Canada Fleabane (Conyza canadensis) is not most people's idea of pretty.
Links
CalScape: Erigeron philadelphicus
Wikipedia: Erigeron philadelphicus
