Erigeron acer
Asteraceae
The floras suggest July to September. However, it appears
to be quite variable. We have been monitoring a Blue
Fleabane population in West Dorset over 2 years .
In 2017 flowering started in June and continued into
November. 2018 was different. After a very wet autumn,
a cold winter, a late spring and a hot, dry summer,
flowering did not start until August and was over by
October. The population was also much smaller than in
the previous year.
It is found throughout the country except for parts of the
North and the far Southwest.
See the BSBI distribution map for Blue Fleabane
It grows in dry grassy places, on sand dunes, spoil heaps,
limestone outcrops and mortar in walls.
Blue Fleabane is a native, annual or perennial herb,
growing up to 60cm.
Flowerheads are up to 18mm across.
Bracts are linear, red-tipped and hairy.
The outer ray florets are female and have pale purple
.linear ligules up to 4mm.
The inner florets are bisexual.
The seeds are attached to a pappus in a clock and are
dispersed by wind.
Basal leaves are oval-lanceolate, stalked and up to 8cm.
Stem leaves are linear and half-clasp the stem.
Stems are slender, hairy, reddish and branched at the top.
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Blue Fleabane in an old quarry,
West Dorset
Flowerheads
Close-up of flowrerhead - lilac ligules of female
outer florets and yellow bisexual inner florets
Close-up of older flowerhead - longer ligules
of outer florets
Side view - linear, red-tipped, hairy bracts
Fruiting flowerheads
Close-up of pappi
Wavy leaves and dark, hairy stem
Wavy, hairy leaf
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