horseweed
ExplorePlants
horseweed
Erigeron canadensis
Horseweed is a tall plant that grows in fields and along roadsides. It has small, fluffy flowers that look like little daisies and can be found in many places during the summer.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The horseweed is a tall, slender plant with an unbranched stem covered in many narrow, hairy leaves that spiral upwards. Its tiny, whitish-green flowers grow in clusters at the very top, giving it a somewhat scruffy, upright appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusErigeron
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Farmers don't love it, as it's a very common weed in crop fields!
It’s a super-colonizer, often the very first plant to grow in disturbed ground!
Long ago, Native Americans used horseweed for upset stomachs and other remedies!
Some studies show it can help clean up polluted soil by absorbing metals!
Special abilities
Ability
Wind Traveler
Horseweed has tiny, parachute-like seeds that catch the wind, helping it spread far and wide and colonize new spots quickly.
Ability
Soil Architect
Horseweed can release chemicals into the soil, which helps it compete by making it harder for other plants to grow nearby.
Ability
Tough Survivor
Horseweed has deep roots that help it find water, allowing it to survive and thrive even in dry or disturbed environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-200 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits tiny flowers for nectar and pollen.
eats
Tarnished plant bug
Lygus lineolaris
Feeds on sap and plant tissues.
eats
American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
Eats its small seeds in fall and winter.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Biennial
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
Marestail
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is horseweed?
30-200 cm
How wide does horseweed spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on horseweed?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does horseweed bloom?
Summer to fall
Is horseweed edible?
Yes
Is horseweed toxic?
None
What is horseweed's lifecycle?
Annual
How is horseweed pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
_BHL23630333.jpg&width=800)
