Spreading Fleabane Erigeron divergens Aster family (Asteraceae)
Although individually hardly noticeable, Spreading Daisy often attracts attention because it commonly grows in large colonies. This is one of the most common members of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) and a member of one of the most common Sunflower , Erigeron . Spreading Daisy might most easily be confused with another very common Erigeron, E. flagellaris (Whiplash Daisy). The latter has hairs primarily versus spreading on E. divergens and E. flagellaris has long that frequently root in to produce new plants. Thomas Nuttall collected the first specimen of this plant for science in the Rockies in the 1830s.
, , or short-lived to 18" tall. Stems branched from the base, with short spreading hairs. Leaves short and narrow but varied in shape, with spreading or hairs. . Flowerheads one to several, white to light blue or light pink. Numerous narrow rays (75-150), about 1/4" long. an .
Glands are plant structures that secrete liquids, salts or other substances.
Glands often appear as hairs with a drop of liquid at the end.
A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.
phyllaries -- Leaflike bracts covering the flowers before opening and remaining under the
flower after it opens. Also called "bracts". Only used with the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
achene -- a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants.
For example, a rose hip holds a few achenes.
An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production
of seed, within one year, and then dies.
stolon -- A slender modified stem running along the ground, rooting at the tip,
and sprouting new plants. Strawberries have stolons. Also called runners.
fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants.
It is formed from the ovary after flowering.
biennial -- a plant which lives for two years, producing a basal rosette of leaves
the first year and a full plant, flower, and seed the second year followed by
the death of the entire plant at the end of the second year.
appressed -- pressed close or flat against another surface as in hairs appressed against a stem.
genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant
number of similar characteristics.
