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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's plantain)
Brundage, Stephanie

Erigeron pulchellus

Erigeron pulchellus Michx.

Robin's Plantain, Poor Robin's Plantain, Rose Petty, Robert's Plantain, Blue Spring-daisy

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ERPU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Soft stems, 12-24 in. high, rise from rosettes appearing along surface runners. The paddle-shaped, basal leaves are soft and hairy. Lavender-blue to white flowers with yellow centers are borne in several-headed clusters. The flowers somewhat resemble asters but the rays are much slenderer and more numerous.

These plants form colonies.

 

From the Image Gallery

11 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON , QC
Native Distribution: ME & Ont. to s.e. MN, s. to GA, MS & e. TX
Native Habitat: Rich, woods; stream banks; fields

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Rich, sandy soils

Value to Beneficial Insects

Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Seeds may be sown outside in late fall or the following spring without any cold treatment. Only a small percentage of the seeds will germinate, so sow thickly. Seeds require light for germination. A more practical method of propagation is division. Se
Seed Collection: Nutlets develop rapidly in the 2-3 weeks following bloom period. Collect seedheads in a paper bag when the nutlets begin to turn brown. Air-dry, clean and seal in a stored, refrigerated container.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACU FACU FACU FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1990 VOL. 7, NO.4 - Research Update, Wild-Collecting Endangers Natives, Director's Report, Maryland ...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Erigeron pulchellus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Erigeron pulchellus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Erigeron pulchellus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-26
Research By: TWC Staff

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