# Cut-Leaf Fleabane (*erigeron compositus*)

The Cut-Leaf Fleabane is a delightful little flower that brightens up meadows and gardens! Its unique, finely cut leaves and cheerful blooms make it a favorite among insects and nature lovers alike.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Cut-Leaf Fleabane typically grows in grassy areas, meadows, and along roadsides across North America.
- **Also known as:** Common Fleabane, Cutleaf Daisy, Field Fleabane

![Cut-Leaf Fleabane](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Erigeron_compositus_%288161931839%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erigeron_compositus_%288161931839%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Cut-Leaf Fleabane is a low-growing plant featuring finely divided, fern-like leaves that give it a delicate, lacy texture. It produces small, daisy-like flowers with numerous narrow ray petals, typically appearing white or pale purple.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Erigeron

## Interesting facts

- Despite its name, it doesn't repel fleas, but it makes a great snack for some insects!
- Its leaves look like miniature green ferns, even though it's a daisy cousin!
- This tough plant can grow high up on mountains where it gets really chilly!
- Tiny seeds help it catch the wind and float to new homes far away!

## Special abilities

- **Leafy Labyrinth:** Cut-Leaf Fleabane has intricately cut leaves that help it reduce water loss and blend into rocky terrains.
- **Mountain Grip:** Cut-Leaf Fleabane can anchor itself with strong roots, allowing it to thrive in windy alpine environments.
- **Bloom Burst:** Cut-Leaf Fleabane has many tiny flowers clustered together, making its blooms more attractive to busy pollinators.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-30 cm
- **Spread:** 5-15 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Its nectar provides energy for bees.
- **Pollinates:** Fawn-colored Bumblebee (*Bombus mixtus*) — Collects pollen and nectar from its blooms.
- **Eaten by:** Small Sallow Moth (*Phalaenostola metata*) — Its larvae may feed on the plant's leaves.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Cut-Leaf Fleabane?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Cut-Leaf Fleabane?

5-30 cm

### How wide does Cut-Leaf Fleabane spread?

5-15 cm

### How big are the flowers on Cut-Leaf Fleabane?

1-2 cm

### When does Cut-Leaf Fleabane bloom?

Late spring to summer

### Is Cut-Leaf Fleabane edible?

Yes

### Is Cut-Leaf Fleabane toxic?

Mild

### What is Cut-Leaf Fleabane's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Pasayten Wilderness](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pasayten-wilderness) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve
- [Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/akamina-kishinena-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Cut-Leaf Fleabane: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cut-leaf-fleabane)