Philadelphia Fleabane has tall, hairy, single stems (.5-3 ft) with clusters of small, daisy-like flowers at the top of the stem. The white to pink flowers are .5-.75 in across with up to 100 thread-like petals surrounding a yellow disc. They flower from May to June. The flowers form fluffy seed heads. Hairy leaves are found at the base of the plant as well as along the stem.
Philadelphia Fleabane grows best in sunny, moist conditions and can be found along roadsides, in fields, and in open woodlands across Canada and the United States.
Could it be? Tufted Fleabane is shorter than Philadelphia Fleabane with 1-3 larger flowers. Fleabane blooms earlier than Aster and has more petals.
Did you know? The name may refer to the fact that people used to believe Fleabane repelled fleas. Or it may refer to the seeds, which are as small as fleas.
See Also: Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Gaillardia, Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Sunflower, Tufted Fleabane
