Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Account for Annual Fleabane - Erigeron annuus   (L.) Persoon
Members of Asteraceae:
Members of Erigeron with account distribution info or public map:
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Section 6 » Order Asterales » Family Asteraceae
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Author(L.) Persoon
DistributionThroughout the state; apparently local on barrier islands.

Newf. to B.C., south to northern FL and TX; Mexico (rare), C.A.
AbundanceGenerally common across the state, except rare on the Outer Banks.
HabitatMesic to moist or dry, rather fertile, soils of meadows, fields, cropfields, roadsides, waste places, vacant lots, yards, and gardens. These habitats are very similar to the equally numerous Prairie Fleabane (E. strigosus). The original natural habitats in NC are not known.
PhenologyFlowering and fruiting May-October.
IdentificationAnnual Fleabane grows mostly 2-3 (-4) feet tall, with hairy stems. Basal leaves usually are absent by flowering time. Stem leaves are broadly lance-shaped to elliptic, the outer end broader than the inner, length mostly 2-4 inches, and margins toothed. The terminal heads are on short branches; each head has a broad yellow disk and 80-125 skinny, white rays 5-10 mm long. Prairie Fleabane also lacks basal leaves at flowering. However, it is not as tall (at most 3 feet), stems and leaves are narrower, leaves are fewer, and stem hairs are much shorter and essentially appressed (vs. spreading). Philadelphia Fleabane (E. philadelphicus) may look similar at a distance, but it has well-developed basal leaves and rays are tinged pink (but may be white).
Taxonomic CommentsNone

Other Common Name(s)Eastern Daisy Fleabane, Daisy Fleabane (used for several species)
State RankS5
Global RankG5
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B.A. SorrieRoadside edge of cropfield, late May 2015. MoorePhoto_natural
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