Prairie Fleabane (Erigeron modestus)
Description: At first, this short-lived perennial forms a low, hairy-leaved clump. Numerous white, aster-like flowers are carried above the pubescent foliage on leafless stalks which nod under the weight of the unopened, pink flower buds. Later in the season, the lower leaves wither away, and stem leaves appear on the now-branched stalks. By late in the season, the plant has fallen over and taken on a sprawling habit.
Family: Asteraceae
Synonym(s): Erigeron lobatus var. warnockii, Erigeron plateauensis, Erigeron warnockii
USDA Symbol: ERMO2
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 0-1 ft., 1-3 ft.
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Water Use: Low
Light Requirements: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Bloom Notes: Native Habitat: Dry, open, calcareous uplands, Rocky uplands in West, Central and North Central Texas west to New Mexico and Arizona. Well-drained gravel, limestone.
Conditions Comments: Fleabane looks wonderful in a container alone or with other natives. Cut the plant back by a third for continuous blooming all summer and continual butterfly visits. It has numerous white, aster-like flowers. At first, this short-lived perennial forms a low, hairy-leaved clump. By late in the season, the plant has fallen over and taken on a sprawling habit.
ATTRIBUTION: All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explicit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.
