Erigeron pulchellus
Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 124. 1803.
Perennials, 15–60 cm; rhizomatous, fibrous-rooted, primary rhizomes relatively slender, producing slender, herbaceous, scale-leaved, stoloniform rhizomes (rhizomes often not collected). Stems erect to ascending (usually abruptly dilated proximal to heads), villous (more densely so on proximal 1/2), eglandular. Leaves basal (persistent) and cauline; basal blades oblanceolate to obovate or suborbiculate, subspatulate, 20–130(–180) × 6–30(–50) mm, cauline gradually reduced distally (bases clasping and slightly auriculate), margins usually dentate to denticulate, rarely entire, faces sparsely to moderately hirsute to hirsuto-villous, sometimes glabrate or glabrous (especially adaxially), eglandular. Heads 1–4(–9). Involucres 5–7 × 6–20 mm. Phyllaries in 2–3(–4) series, sparsely to moderately hirsute to hirsuto-villous (cross walls not distinctly colored), minutely glandular to stipitate-glandular. Ray florets 50–80(–100); corollas light blue to purplish, pink, or white, 6–10 mm, laminae coiling tardily at tips. Disc corollas 4.5–6 mm. Cypselae 1.3–1.8 mm, 2(–4)-nerved, faces sparsely strigose to glabrate or glabrous; pappi: outer 0 or of setae, inner of (22–)28–36 bristles.
Distribution
Ont., Que., Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Mass., Md., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.C., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., Vt., W.Va., Wis.
Discussion
Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Stems and leaves glabrous | Erigeron pulchellus var. brauniae |
| 1 | Stems and leaves hirsute to hirsuto-villous | > 2 |
| 2 | Rays blue to pinkish; disc corollas 4.5–6 mm; cypselae glabrous or glabrate | Erigeron pulchellus var. pulchellus |
| 2 | Rays white; disc corollas 4–4.5 mm; cypselae strigose | Erigeron pulchellus var. tolsteadii |