Erigeron quercifolius

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Erigeron quercifolius
Erig quer.jpg
Photo by Wayne Matchett, SpaceCoastWildflowers.com
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae ⁄ Compositae
Genus: Erigeron
Species: E. quercifolius
Binomial name
Erigeron quercifolius
Lam.
Erig quer dist.jpg
Natural range of Erigeron quercifolius from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Oakleaf fleabane

Taxonomic notes

The common name, oakleaf fleabane, is due to the basal leaves being lobed like some oaks.[1]

Description

A description of Erigeron quercifolius is provided in w4 The Flora of North America.

E. quercifolius can be a winter annual, biennial or short live perennial, depending on environmental conditions. Basal leaves have a deeply notched marith yellow-green leaves that are rough to the touch. Flower stalks emerge from the center of the basal rosette and can reach about 12-24 inches tall by early summer. The flower heads are small and are composed of many thin, ray petals surrounding a rounded yellow disc.[1] Flowers can be blue, white or pink.[2]

Distribution

Ecology

Habitat

E. quercifolius can be found in wetland depressions, wet pinelands, dry turkey-oak pinelands, pine flatwoods, moist open hammocks, and peaty soils of cypress-gum swamps. It is a quick to colonize openings and disturbed areas such as roadsides, vacant lots, open fields, and drainage ditches. Soils include loamy sand, peaty soil, and shell rock. [1][3] Associated species include Helenium pinnatifidum, Parietaria praetermissa, Micromeria brownei, Spermacoce assurgens, Galium hispidulum, Vicia floridana, Commelina diffusa, Rumex verticillatus, Galium tinctorium, Boehmeria cylindrica, and Saururus cernuus. [3]

Phenology

It has an inferior ovary[4] and flowers March through October. [3] Fruits are achenes[4]. In north Florida peak inflorescence has been observed in April.[5]

Pollination

The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Erigeron quercifolius at Archbold Biological Station: [6]

Apidae: Apis mellifera, Bombus impatiens, Epeolus pusillus

Colletidae: Colletes mandibularis

Halictidae: Halictus poeyi, Lasioglossum tamiamensis

Leucospididae: Leucospis robertsoni, L. slossonae

Megachilidae: Coelioxys germana, Dianthidium floridiense, Dolichostelis louisae, Heriades leavitti, Megachile albitarsis, M. parallela, M. petulans

Sphecidae: Bicyrtes capnoptera

Vespidae: Euodynerus hidalgo, Pachodynerus erynnis

Use by animals

It attracts predatory and parasitoid insects that will prey on pest insects. It is a host to thrips and aphids.[7] It is claimed that burning the foliage will chase away fleas and other pests.[8]

Conservation and management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 [Native Florida Wildflowers] Accessed: December 7, 2015
  2. [Encyclopedia of Life]Accessed December 7, 2015
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: October 2015. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, James R. Birkhaulter, Michael Cartrett, George R. Cooley, R.A. Davidson, Robert Doren, Richard J. Eaton, J.P. Gillespie, William T. Gillis, R.K. Godfrey, Ed Keppner, Lisa Keppner, R. Kral, O. Lakela, D.W. Mather, Joseph Monachino, John B. Nelson, C.W. O’Brien, Paul L. Redfearn Jr., Grady W. Reinert, Cecil R. Slaughter, Bian Tan, R.F. Throne. States and Counties: Florida: Alachua, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.
  4. 4.0 4.1 [Native and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia]Accessed: December 7, 2015
  5. Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 9 DEC 2016
  6. Deyrup, M.A. and N.D. 2015. Database of observations of Hymenoptera visitations to flowers of plants on Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA.
  7. [Bloomin crazy]Accessed: December 7, 2015
  8. [[1]]Accessed: December 7, 2015