# Philadelphia fleabane (*Erigeron philadelphicus*) Philadelphia fleabane is a cheerful little flower that blooms in spring and summer. It has white petals and a bright yellow center, making it look like a tiny sun in the garden! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 38 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Philadelphia fleabane](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Philadelphia_Fleabane.jpg&width=800) Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philadelphia_Fleabane.jpg) ## Appearance The Philadelphia fleabane has numerous small, daisy-like flowers with many fine white to pinkish-purple ray petals surrounding a yellow center. Its branched stems are often hairy, topped by these delicate blooms that create a soft, airy appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Erigeron ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, fleabane does not repel fleas; that's just an old myth! - It belongs to the huge daisy family, Astereae, alongside sunflowers! - Its scientific name means 'early old man,' inspired by its fluffy, aged seeds. - Native Americans once used this plant for making traditional medicines. ## Special abilities - **Tough Root Resilience:** Philadelphia fleabane can grow in many different soil types, allowing it to thrive in diverse environments. - **Seed Spreader:** Philadelphia fleabane produces many tiny seeds with fluffy parachutes, allowing them to float on the wind. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 20-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to late summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** Common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Key pollinator in its range - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer browse on its leaves and stems - **Eaten by:** [Eastern cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) — Rabbits feed on young plants ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's safe to look at and smell flowers, but don't eat them unless an adult says it's okay! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia fleabane? 30-90 cm ### How wide does Philadelphia fleabane spread? 20-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Philadelphia fleabane? 1-2.5 cm ### When does Philadelphia fleabane bloom? Late spring to late summer ### Is Philadelphia fleabane edible? Yes ### Is Philadelphia fleabane toxic? None ### What is Philadelphia fleabane's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Capitol Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Grand Circus Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-circus-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Greektown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greektown) — Michigan, US · Neighborhood - [Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monroe-avenue-commercial-buildings) — Michigan, US · Historic Site - [North Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-park) — Pennsylvania, US · Park [View all places to see Philadelphia fleabane](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/philadelphia-fleabane) ## 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*) --- Source: [Philadelphia fleabane: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/philadelphia-fleabane)