Fleabane Wildflower

Fleabane is beautiful unappreciated native wildflower that belongs to the family Asteraceae (pronounced aster-A-see-A). Considered by most to be a weed, fleabane is actually a North American native wildflower with over 150 different species.

Is fleabane good for anything?

People use Canadian fleabane for swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis), sore throat, diarrhea, abnormally heavy bleeding during menstrual periods (menorrhagia), to stop bleeding, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Is daisy fleabane a wildflower?

Daisy fleabane is a delicate wildflower that measures approximately 30-150 cm. in height. Each plant has several composite flowers that look typically daisy-like, having a yellow central disk surrounded by white, petal-like rays. Composite flowers are positioned singularly atop the terminal shoot of downy stems.

Should I get rid of fleabane?

The key is to remove the plants before they go to seed. Older, larger plants are harder to pull, but watering the soil simplifies the task and makes it easier to remove the entire taproot. However, pulling mature plants can make the problem worse because you may inadvertently release thousands and thousands of seeds.

Why is fleabane a problem?

Flaxleaf fleabane affects crop production as it greatly reduces stored water supplies in fallows which affects subsequent crop emergence and growth. This species is also a prolific seed producer that can produce up to 120,000 seeds per plant.

Is fleabane a good plant?

Fleabane leaves contain caffeic acid, which has been shown to have antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Fleabane, like many other asters, have also been used historically for their medicinal properties. Native American tribes found a variety of uses for the plant as an astringent, diuretic, and expectorant.

Does fleabane keep fleas away?

Most commonly referred to as Fleabane due to their ability to repel fleas, the may also be known as showy daisy, seaside daisy, horseweed, and beach aster. These plants are often considered to be a reasonably safe pest deterrent to plant in gardens with dogs, and can be found growing wild in many areas.

Is fleabane poisonous to humans?

Prairie fleabane is a slightly toxic plant that can cause vomiting and diarrhea if swallowed. In addition, it can cause contact dermatitis in some sensitive people. It often appears as a flower plant in gardens or parks, so people may come into contact with it and develop allergic symptoms.

What animal eats fleabane?

A native wildflower to Ohio, the nectar & pollen of the Philadelphia Fleabane plant attracts a variety of bees, wasps, butterflies & skippers. Deer, rabbits & groundhogs enjoy eating the foliage & flowerheads. The dried plant used to be stuffed into mattresses to repel insects.

Does fleabane repel mosquitoes?

Pennyroyal. Known as Fleabane, works to repel ticks and fleas, as well as mosquitoes and gnats. Crushed pennyroyal leaves can be rubbed onto the skin as an effective insect repellent.

Is fleabane good for wildlife?

Value for wildlife A great plant for wildlife as it attracts bees, butterflies and dragonflies and is on the RHS perfect for pollinators listing.

Does fleabane come back every year?

Fleabane is a biennial or short-lived perennial in most areas, but it doesn't often thrive in areas with hot, humid summer climates. In optimum growing conditions fleabane may self-seed, producing a new crop of plants every year.

Does fleabane attract bees?

Summer Fleabanes - attracts various bees, butterflies and other insects. Smooth Fleabane, Erigeron glabellus, grows in sun. Philadelphia Fleabane, Erigeron philadelphicus, grows in sun and prefers moist soil. Giant Hyssop - attracts various bees and butterflies.

Is daisy fleabane good for anything?

Daisy fleabane, like other fleabane wildflowers, derives its common name from the superstition that dried clusters of these plants could be used to rid a dwelling of fleas. Although it cannot do that, it is however used as a diuretic and medicine for digestive ailments.

Does fleabane attract butterflies?

The fleabane that North American butterflies find most attractive is the Eastern Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus). It is native to North America, found most commonly in the eastern US. An annual, it grows 2 to 4 feet tall in either full sun or partial shade.

Do pollinators like fleabane?

Many insects pollinate Daisy Fleabane, including a number of native bees, like carpenter bees, and flies, as well as wasps and butterflies and other insects. Animals that will eat this plant include rabbits and some livestock animals, especially when the plant is young.

What kills fleabane?

Triazine herbicides applied at sowing or in crop generally do an excellent job on fleabane resulting in clean fallows. Atrazine appears the strongest of the triazine herbicides on fleabane. Roundup Ready, imidazolinine tolerant and conventional varieties require clopyralid for high level of control.

Is fleabane a pollinator plant?

As we've mentioned above, daisy fleabane sends up many flowers at once when it is time for pollination season. This means that the plant clumps together in the growing season to help maximize pollination efficiency.

Does fleabane spread?

Once established, Mexican fleabane is a hardy plant that is known for being drought tolerant and long-lived. It appreciates plenty of sun and well-drained and fertile soil, and, in these ideal conditions, it can spread prolifically.

Is fleabane easy to grow?

It is often overlooked because the flowers are small, and perhaps because of its unflattering common name, Fleabane. Which is a shame because it is reliable, easy to grow, ideal for front of the border, rockeries, crevices, and it flowers for a long time with multiple flowers.