Philadelphia Fleabane

Erigeron philadelphicus, also known as common fleabane, is a N. American native plant in the Aster family that blooms mid to late June here, a better indicator being to look for it about the same time as white campion first begins its flowering season. Flowers are a lovely tint of pinkish to white presenting flattish or open clusters of 3 to 35 small daisy-like flowers at the top of the plant. The showy flowers are ½ to ¾ inch across, with 100 plus thread-like ray petals and a golden yellow center disk.

Fleabane is a desirable plant for the landscape. It attracts (as the photo shoes) a huge variety of insects to its pollen and nectar, and is a plant host for several moth and butterfly larvae. The fruit it produces are tiny, dry seeds with small, light brown hairs attached. The ripened seeds provide yummy snacks for goldfinches (and other finches) into the autumn.

Strongly clasping leaves are a good way to distinguish Philadelphia fleabane from the other fleabanes, as shown in this photo.