Fleabanes are the small, white daisies that seem to be blooming everywhere right now. The plants are 1-4 feet tall, and the flowers are less than one inch wide. Take a closer look, and you’ll realize that there are several different kinds of fleabanes. I’ve found four types so far. The trick is to look at the leaves and stems.
Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus) has linear, narrow leaves. The leaf shape remains the same all the way down the stem. The flower heads are about a half inch wide. The petals are white or pale pink.
Annual Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) has elliptical leaves that are toothed and hairy toward the base and on the midrib. The leaves are attached to the stem with a long, winged petiole. The leaves at the top of the stem are smaller and more linear. They get larger, rounder and more toothed toward the bottom of the stem. I see this plant growing alongside Daisy Fleabane.
Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus) has oval leaves that clasp the stem. The stem is visibly hairy. The flower head has more than 150 petals. This plant usually grows in wet areas, while the other fleabanes grow in dry places.
Robin’s Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus var. pulchellus) has very hairy stems and leaves. The leaves clasp the stem and are toothed. The flower petals are pale violet to white.
Here is a direct comparison of the leaves.
What fleabanes have you found?