Fleabane is one of the most misunderstood — and dare I say, almost hated — native plant species. Most people consider it a weed, like Canadian Goldenrod. But I think it is a darling plant.
According to the USDA Forest Service, there are 390 known species of fleabane worldwide and about 170 species in North America. The species I’m familiar with here in Wisconsin are the Common (Erigeron annuus) and Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron strigosus). They are annual plants in the Daisy family (Astereae). In good seasons, they can be over-abundant, and in poor, almost non-existent — typical of annual plants dependent upon their seed germinating. They blossom in late spring and into the fall, often going to seed while still flowering. Each plant may have anywhere from 40 to 100 flat disk-shaped florets which are small, only 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter.
They has composite flowers made up of a wide, bright yellow central disk surrounded by short, petal-like white to pinkish flat rays. They use pollination, but also self-fertilize. “The flower has an outer ring of pistillate white ray flowers and a central disc of numerous bisexual yellow florets.” (Friends of the Wild Flower Garden)
Their leaves are alternate and typically lanceolate in shape and coarsely toothed, although less so on the upper stem. Their central stem is slightly hairy. They can grow anywhere from 1 to 3-1/2 feet tall.
Fleabane prefers full sun and dry conditions, but can do well in mesic, clay or gravel; alkaline soil and partial shade. It is considered a pioneer species because it is often one of the first native plants returning to a disturbed or a restored ecological site and can often out-compete non-native weed species.
Host Plant
The Common and the Daisy Fleabane are the host plants for the Lynx Flower Moth (Schinia lynx) which can be found in Wisconsin and throughout most of the states west of the Rocky Mountains. They are pollinated by a variety of bees and flies. Wasps, small butterflies and other insects also nectar on these plants.
So the next time you’re out in your prairie and you’re cursing the invasion of the fleabane, maybe think twice before pulling it out. Maybe give it some reasonable doubt.
I have never heard of the Lynx Flower Moth. Must look it up. Are you on Kate Redmond’s mailing list? She sends weekly information about insects. Fascinating.
Her posts are archived by the UWM Field Station: http://uwm.edu/field-station/category/bug-of-the-week/
I couldn’t find much on the Lynx Flower Moth either, Ney. Just that little bit on Wikipedia and some photos elsewhere. Thanks for the info on Kate Redmond’s blog. I’ll have to sign-up.
Lovely article 💕
Thanks, May-Numu.
The bees love them, and bees need all the help they can get these days.
Yes indeed, Joe — Donna
Thank you for helping me identify the plant in my backyard! It looked too pretty to be just a weed, but I didn’t want to take the chance of promoting an invasive either. Given your information, I believe I’ll move it to my pollinator garden.
If an annual. It does not do well for transplanting, Christi. Just keep watch over the seed and transplant when the seed begin to fall — in the pollinator garden — Donna
I actually found one of these “weeds” in the front garden and, since I couldn’t recognized it, but didn’t want to kill it either, I did transplant it to on of the sides of the house where I have the annual flowers just to give it an opportunity to show what kind of plant was it…to my surprise, I fall in love with it 💘 because of the little daisies it has, I even try to find out what specimen it was but couldn’t be sure of my findings….Now, I know is a treasure to keep, thanks for the article!
I’m glad to help, Lima — Donna
I am in the process of starting a natural garden with local plants only. Fleabane were the first to grow in and flower. I love them but had not known much about them. You wrote a great article! Thank you very much.
Glad you read my blog, Michael == Donna
Thank you for this article! My husband and I in year two of restoring a native prairie on our central Iowa property. This species nearly dominated the entire prairie last summer when it was very dry. I thought it was an invasive species and planned to spot kill it this year to make room for my natives. This gives me great joy as I do think they are a beautiful plant and have seen bees enjoying them! I especially like that they are a pioneering species – tells me my husband and I must be doing something right. Thank you!
Thank you, too, Katie — Donna