Common fleabane is, well…common. Here in southwestern Ohio, the plant is both widespread and prevalent. No matter where you live, you don't have to look far to find a clump or two. Which doesn't mean common fleabane isn't worth searching out and examining.
I suppose the appellation fleabane doesn't help, though most folks merely give it a passing glance and immediately relegate the plant to being "one of those boring white, daisy-like composites you find everywhere." More weed than wildflower. Asking the plant's name implies a degree of interest greater than is typically mustered. Most won't walk over and take a closer look. A shame, because I think the flowers are quite lovely.
One interesting note regarding these blooms…what many call the flowers are really flower clusters or heads. Common fleabane actually has two kinds of flowers—the tiny trumpet-like disc flowers which make the yellow center button, and the 100-150 long, single-petal ray flowers in white or pinkish-tinge.
Common fleabane, Erigeron philadelphicus, is the earliest-blooming of the fleabanes hereabouts. They're also the first to fade and go to seed; many have already finished for the season. By contrast, the quite similar daisy fleabane will soon appear and continue blooming until frost.
The genus name, Erigeron, may come from the Greek, eri, meaning "early," and geron, "old man." This name, "early old man," would thus reflect the fact common fleabane ages quickly. Others claim the first part of Erigeron comes from the Greek erio, meaning "wooly," so you end up with "wooly old man," possibly referring to the rather fuzzy fruiting head. As to the various fleabanes having any effect when it comes to poisoning or repelling fleas, historical nomenclature aside, there's no evidence whatsoever the plant works on men or dogs.
I always keep a few clumps of common fleabane growing around the house. The other day, a visitor gushed about their beauty. "Yes," I replied, "you could say they're uncommonly pretty."
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8 comments:
Griz: I'm a fan of fleabane (fleabanes?) too. I do think the name doesn't help the average person think of them as something worth looking at. Of course, the average person probably doesn't even know what they are named
I always let the fleabane bloom.
Carolyn…
I just don't see how a wildflower fan—or anyone who likes any sort of flowers, in the wild or garden—wouldn't like the fleabanes (yup, just an "s"), but I've heard them dismissed as mere weeds. The name is not the best, but there are far worse among flowers. You can't judge a plant's beauty by name only. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who likes the fleabanes.
Ellen…
Me, too. In fact, I've transplanted several clumps to fill in odd corners and pockets right around the cottage. They more than hold their own in the midst of plants I've paid good money for at a nursery.
Yes Grizz - I love the fleabanes. Records from the monks at nearby Jervaulx Abbey in Wensleydale tell how they used flea band to stuff the mattresses in the Middle Ages in an attempt to combat flease.
There is a really dainty flebane (erigeron) grows here. It is fond of filling in the spaces between paving flags - I think it is called elegantissima.
Weaver…
I really like the various fleabanes—and enjoy their long history of medicinal and practical use. To me that's a big part of the fun of certain plants. That little fleabane of yours sounds most interesting. I don't think we have a comparable species here, but I'd like to have such a fleabane for my rock garden or walkways.
It is a joy to look at your blog – you have such pretty flowers and on top of that you know their names. I see several wild flowers in our yard (it is not a garden, we have almost an acre left mostly as is) but I rarely know their names. Couple of days ago my husband and I watched a 6 feet snake move slowly away. I ran to get my camera and take its picture but I only got its back before it went under the house. I’ll try to remember to add its picture in my next post – you may know what kind of a snake it is. It was black with light brown markings, not too close together, and pretty big.
Vagabonde…
Thank you so much for your nice words. I'm glad you enjoy visiting this blog. But really, I'm only a mediocre botanist; my Dad knew every plant, while I'm capable only on the common stuff. And that comes about as much through needing to name what I photograph as anything. I've got a pretty extensive reference library, though and I keep at it, learn what I can—even if by osmosis. I've always been interested in the folklore of plants.
Plants, of course, are easier than snakes slithering in the grass. You don't have to identify a common fleabane at the blink of an eye. However, when you post your serpent shot, I'll take a look and we both might get lucky…you'd have your I.D. and I'd have another notch in in my overestimated reputation. ;-0
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