Erigeron aphanactis

Perennials, 2–20(–30) cm; taprooted, caudices branched. Stems erect to slightly decumbent-ascending, canescent-hirsute, densely stipitate-glandular. Leaves basal (persistent) and cauline (petioles prominently ciliate, at least on proximal portions, hairs thick-based, spreading); basal blades linear-oblanceolate to spatulate, 20–80 × 2–7 mm, cauline gradually or abruptly reduced distally, sometimes bractlike (stems scapiform), margins entire, faces canescent-hirsute, densely stipitate-glandular (hairs finer). Heads (disciform) 1–4. Involucres 4–6 × 7–15 mm. Phyllaries in 2–3 series, coarsely hirsute, densely minutely glandular. Ray (pistillate) florets 30–45; corollas usually tubular, lacking laminae, or laminae shorter than involucres. Disc corollas 2.8–4.5 mm (throats white-indurate and inflated, conspicuously puberulent). Cypselae 1.5–1.8 mm, 2-nerved, faces sparsely strigose (carpopodia whitish); pappi: outer of scales or setae, inner of 7–20 bristles.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

w United States.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Erigeron aphanactis is distinguished from E. austiniae by its conspicuously puberulent (versus essentially glabrous) disc corollas and white (versus yellow) carpopodia; it also is similiar in habit and vestiture to E. concinnus, which has conspicuous white to pinkish rays.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Erigeron aphanactis var. aphanactis, Erigeron aphanactis var. congestus

Key

1	Stems leafy; heads usually 2–3; disc corolla lobes usually yellowish	Erigeron aphanactis var. aphanactis
1	Stems scapiform; heads 1; disc corolla lobes sometimes becoming reddish or purplish	Erigeron aphanactis var. congestus