There are over 200 different Erigeron species, and several of them have fleabane as part of their common name. Common Names: Philadelphia Daisy, Philadelphia Fleabane Genus: Erigeron Species: philadelphicus Parts Used: the extract and the whole plant. Family: Composite or Aster Family (Compositae) The smaller varieties grow 1.5 feet tall, better suited for larger rock garden areas than the 2- to 3-foot tall varieties. Quick Navigation [ show] Erigeron karvinskianus, or Mexican daisy, is a popular border and flowering accent plant and a top choice for gardeners with small garden spaces due to its size and growth characteristics. From late spring through midsummer, daisy fleabane (Erigeron speciosus) blooms profusely. Fleabane, Common Botanial: Inula dysenterica (LINN.) Daisy Fleabane. Personally, I really enjoy seeing clusters of fleabane in flower. Weed of the Month: Fleabane By Saara Nafici | June 25, 2015 This month’s weed is a lovely common North American native: fleabane! Mundane Uses Fleabane's common name reflects its use as a bug repellant. So choose a healthy plant growing in the wild and dig it up. Fleabane looks like a daisy, … This plant has no children Legal Status. Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Uses of Fleabane: It possesses diuretic, tonic, and astringent properties, which render it very useful in dropsical complaints, and in diarrhoea. Daisy fleabane, like other fleabane wildflowers, derives its common name from the superstition that dried clusters of these plants could be used to rid a dwelling of fleas. (There probably other fleabanes, too – this ID stuff can be tricky!) Some early American settlers kept dried fleabane in their homes and in small satchels to repel gnats and fleas; that’s how the plant got its common name. Fleabane fits well into a cottage garden when situated under bare-bottomed … This North American native plant brings color to naturalized areas and garden settings. Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. A poultice was made from the plant to treat headaches. Technology: When burned the plant may keep insects away. Palomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Boston University. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), bees, Apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion). In the garden, fleabane grows profusely as it draws moisture from other plants. Fleabane. Photo courtesy of Illinois Wildflowers. In fact, there is no evidence that supports fleabane as an insect repellent. Daisy fleabane is ideal for naturalized areas, wildflower gardens, meadows, border areas and cottage gardens. Indigenous Plants & Native Uses in the Northeast. Bring a jar of water with you and submerge the cut flower stalks right away. A member of the aster family, fleabane produces masses of tiny white to yellowish, daisy-like blooms. For a traditional white flower with yellow centers, the 1 1/2-foot-tall Erigeron speciosus "Summer Snow" is one to try. Uses of Daisy Fleabane Plant Characteristics. Before you plant your seeds, choose a spot that doesn’t get direct sunlight during the noon or afternoon hours. U.S. Weed Information; Erigeron annuus . Description; Medicinal Action and Uses---Synonyms---Pulicaria dysenterica (Gaertn. “There is a little bit of an insecticidal property to daisy fleabane,” Davidson said. People once mixed it with bedstraw to keep bugs out of their mattresses. Daisy fleabane flowers are small, about 1/2 inch in diameter and resemble a daisy with multiple... Daisy Fleabane in the Garden. What is Fleabane? Key Uses: Respiratory, cough with mucous discharge, Digestion, Diarrhea, Lack of appetite, Kidneys and Bladder problems, menstrual problems, postpartum bleeding, capillary or passive hemorrhage. Historical medicinal uses. ).Middle Fleabane. Eulalia Palomo has been a professional writer since 2009. Erigeron (/ ɪ ˈ r ɪ dʒ ə r ɒ n /) is a large genus of plants in the daisy family. Some height variation exists among different varieties but most are between 1 1/2 and 3 feet tall. Tea brewed from this species has been used in the past as a diuretic and an astringent. You may have seen this pretty, daisy-like wildflower in fields, against buildings and fences, and along roadsides in spring and early summer. Leaves of fleabane are cooked (they can be eaten raw, but cooking will remove the small hairs on the leaves and stems) and served along other greens. It is closely related to the genus Aster and the true daisy Bellis.The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution in dry, mountainous areas and grassland, with the highest diversity in North America. There are mixed reviews as to the plants origin, some say that it originated in North America while others say it came from Europe or Asia. Place cut flowers in a cool indoor spot out of direct sun for a long-lasting bouquet. These plants are often considered to be a reasonably safe pest deterrent to plant in gardens with dogs, and can … Fleabane is one of the most misunderstood — and dare I say, almost hated — native plant species. Fleabane, like many other asters, have also been used historically for their medicinal properties. The Daisy Fleabane is an annual weed that can be found across North America. FLEABANE is a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family. We Should All Take a Month off of Red Meat. It's similarity to the common daisy is no accident as both belong to the Asteraceae plant family. Are Travelers Creating Too Much Plastic Waste? The Catawba used a drink from the plant to treat heart trouble. As a native species across North America and naturalized in Europe, this somewhat-invasive plant is very common along roadsides and fields. Daisy fleabane flowers are small, about 1/2 inch in diameter and resemble a daisy with multiple rays extending from the center. This plant is known by a number of names such as Santa Barbara daisy, Mexican fleabane, Mexican daisy, seaside daisy, and more. The plant can reach heights of up to 3 feet at maturity. Native American tribes found a variety of uses for the plant as an astringent, diuretic, and expectorant. Earlier Centuries Use of Fleabane. DAISY FLEABANE (Erigeron annuus) Medicine: A tea from the plant was a diuretic and medicine for digestive ailments. The plant should be collected when the flowers are in bloom. The Cherokee started friction fires with the dried stalk of a fleabane, which they called "firemaker." – eastern daisy fleabane Subordinate Taxa. It is in flower from July to August. Erigeron philadelphicus is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). Fleabane leaves contain caffeic acid, which has been shown to have antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Daisy fleabane has a tap root instead of rhizomes, and more white ray flowers (petals). ), this widely-available plant has been known to have many uses. The juice of the plant cures the itch, and the very smell of the herb is said to destroy fleas. annual fleabane. In this video we will be looking at an edible plant improperly named, "Daisy Fleabane." Try Erigeron speciosus "Shining Sea," a 1 1/2 foot tall variety with pale blue flowers, or Erigeron speciosus "Dignity," another low-growing variety with magenta flowers. Many of the species within this genus are regarded as weeds; however, more Erigeron species are being cultivated as native plants rise in popularity. Erigeron strigosus is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names prairie fleabane, common eastern fleabane, and daisy fleabane.. Erigeron strigosus is native to eastern and central North America as far west as Manitoba, Idaho and Texas.It has also become naturalized in western North America as well as in Europe and China as a somewhat weedy naturalized species. But I think it is a darling plant. Ethnobotanic: The Cherokee and other Native American tribes used Philadelphia fleabane for a variety of medicinal purposes including epilepsy. Fleabane produces seeds prolifically; a single plant can produce more than 100,000 seeds. Erigeron is a top pollinator-attracting plant; butterflies and moths especially adore these daisies. pokerboy. Most people consider it a weed, like Canadian Goldenrod. Fleabane (Erigeron spp.) She travels widely and has spent over six years living abroad. A paste made from the leaves has also been used for wounds and cuts, applied externally to heal them. Fleabane, like many other asters, have also been used … It was also used to treat hemorrhages and for spitting of blood. Family: N.O. The Eastern daisy fleabane resembles a true daisy but with much narrower petals… and with two to four times as many of them. Although fleabane may not be as extravagant as some of the other plants within the aster family (sunflowers, chrysanthemums, zinnias, etc. Finding hardy plants that thrive in the rocky soil of a rock garden can pose a challenge, but the daisy fleabane in perfectly suited for these conditions. Aside for being used to attract pollinators, fleabane is a known wild edible. Compositae. In fact, many species of moths and butterflies feed exclusively on erigeron. An essential oil can be made to relieve bronchitis and cystitis. Close-up of an isolated eastern daisy fleabane. However, some malnourished specimens of Annual Fleabane can resemble Daisy Fleabane, thus becoming a source of possible confusion. Although it cannot do that, it is however used as a diuretic and medicine for digestive ailments. Ross Dees is an Assistant Horticulturist at Philbrook Museum of Art. This hardy little plant thrives in clay and rocky soil conditions and loves a spot in full sun with some afternoon shade in warmer climates. Culpeper refers to this plant in his writings as well. On the contrary, fleabane is rather attractive to pollinating insects. Commonly confused with Fleabane Erigeron Karvinskianus for similar flowers. It's toxic to molluscs and helps prevent fungus infections in strawberry plants. Native plant gardens make important habitats for birds, beneficial insects, animals and butterflies. Daisy Fleabane is a more slender plant with fewer and skinnier leaves, and the hairs along the middle and upper portions of the central stem are short and appressed, rather than spreading outward. Marginal on the edible scale, really needs to be cooked. Daisy fleabane does not compete well with larger-leafed plants and will suffer if overshadowed in the garden. Specific epithet means of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. is a member of the Aster family. I hope you are all doing well! The easiest way to grow the plant is by division. Hey YouTube friends! Most commonly referred to as Fleabane due to their ability to repel fleas, the may also be known as showy daisy, seaside daisy, horseweed, and beach aster. Add daisy fleabane to wildflower arrangements, or create a simple bouquet of daisy fleabane on its own. Green and Cool Roofs- The future of climate change. Native plant gardens make important habitats for birds, beneficial insects, animals and... Rock Gardens. An alcohol and water tincture extracts the medicinal phytochemical compounds better than a tea, which loses the … Prior to taking up writing full time she has worked as a landscape artist and organic gardener. Other Notes: A mention that this plant was used as a dye by native Americans but nothing more specific, in the old days. It is hardy to zone (UK) 2. Under the right conditions, fleabane can act as a perennial. Types of Red Bushes & Red Plants and Flowers, Extension Infonet: Cutting and Preparing Flowers, Life Expectancy of the Kangaroo Paw Flower. Petals of these flowers range from white to yellow to various shades of pink. It also has a scent. An abundant wildflower garden produces enough flowers to brighten up the landscape with enough left over to bring indoors. A good border plant. The smoke from incense made from the plant was inhaled to treat head colds. Genus name comes from the Greek words eri meaning early and geron meaning old man in reference to the early bloom time and downy plant appearance suggestive of the white beard of an old man. Only the leaves are edible on the Daisy Fleabane. Wherever it came from it can now be found all over the globe. Interestingly enough the leaves contain caffeic acid, this is a compound that has neuroprotective and antioxidative effects on the neuronal cells. Mornings and evenings, when the weather is cool, are the best time to cut flowers in the garden. The leaves and roots of fleabane were used for dysentery, as the Latin name suggests as they have astringent properties. Due to the hairy nature of the leaves they are best consumed when cooked with greens. A daisy like perennial plant. There is Daisy Fleabane, which I think looks most similar, and Annual Fleabane. The bruised leaves have a slightly soapy smell, and they were used in mediaeval times to repel fleas and other insects. Species within this genus may be annual, biennial, or perennial. “Pioneers used to collect a bouquet of daisy fleabane in the morning and put it … Erigeron annuus is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, and green, sparsely hairy stems, which can grow to between 30 and 150 centimeters (about 1 to 5 feet) in height. Fleabane is a name that is used for a variety of different plants. Medicinally, all parts of the plant are used, but the leaves and flowers are most active. https://www.ediblewildfood.com/daisy-fleabane.aspx, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERAN, https://www.gardensall.com/daisy-fleabane/, https://www.sarcraft.com/news/2018/7/18/wildediblewednesday-718-fleabane, https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/uploads/ERSP4.pdf, How The British Monarchy Is Taking The Throne On Climate Change, A Visit to a Residual Materials Recovery Facility, Looking forward to a bright future: a green horizon after the crisis. Fleabane plants are recognizable due to their hairy stems and leaves, as well as their bright yellow composite flowers which appear in mid-to-late spring. The most common flower color found is a yellow center with white rays, but horticulturalists have developed a variety of flower colors, including pink, rose and red. He said the … Sources claim the leaves taste similar to spinach. Hope you enjoy. Fleabane is part of the Aster family and blooms from April through June. The flowers are usually white and only about half an inch across. A biennial or short-lived perennial, daisy fleabane is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2b through 9b. Neutral: On Jul 31, 2004, debi_z from Springfield, MA (Zone 6a) wrote: i love the pretty dainty and vibrant pink flower with its yellow center. These perennials form clumps up to 50cm wide. Their bright yellow florets radiate a sense of optimism for an exciting growing season and for the warm, sunny days soon to come. Davidson used daisy fleabane as an example of a prairie plant with an unusual purpose and an intentional name. The most common genus it's associated with is Erigeron, which is part of the Aster or Daisy family . © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The roots were either made into tea or chewed to treat colds and coughs. In fact, starlings line their nests with fleabane to keep mites away. 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When situated under bare-bottomed … Close-up of an insecticidal property to daisy fleabane ( Erigeron speciosus Summer! © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. fleabane ( Erigeron speciosus `` Summer Snow '' is of. Of these flowers range from white to yellow to various shades of.... ( LINN. birds, beneficial insects, animals and... Rock gardens stalks right away across... The Asteraceae plant family when situated under bare-bottomed … Close-up of an isolated eastern daisy fleabane rather...