Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus
Philadelphia fleabane
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus (Philadelphia fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by extremely numerous rays (150-400), clasping leaves.
Philadelphia fleabane is a California native perennial found in coastal, northern, and southern California (excluding the Great Valley and Desert Mountains) in streamsides and other moist habitats at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pale pink ray flowers in heads 6 to 15 millimeters wide, with up to 400 delicate rays that curl when dry. Growing 25 to 80 centimeters tall with branched stems that widen below the flower heads, it features spreading hairy stems that emerge from fibrous roots. Its leaves vary from basal oblong-obovate to spoon-shaped blades 8 to 15 centimeters long, often coarsely toothed, with cauline leaves that are lanceolate to ovate and clasping the stem. The plant produces fruit with 20 to 30 pappus bristles, creating a soft, feathery appearance at maturity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 82 sympatric species; key features are extremely numerous rays (150-400), clasping leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streamsides, other moist habitats
Elevation: < 1200 m
Outside California: to eastern United States
Bloom period
Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Bellis: Erigeron has double-layered pappus (outer scales + inner bristles); Bellis completely lacks pappus.; vs Symphyotrichum: Erigeron has double pappus (2 layers); Symphyotrichum has single layer of uniform bristles.; vs Corethrogyne: Erigeron has simple unbranched stems; Corethrogyne has branched stems.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Erigeron has flat button-like flower heads; Pseudognaphalium has woolly clustered heads without rays.; vs Artemisia: Erigeron has obvious ray petals around yellow disk; Artemisia lacks ray petals entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus bloom?
Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus belong to?
Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus grow in?
Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus grows in Streamsides, other moist habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.