# Subalpine Fleabane (*erigeron glacialis*) The Subalpine Fleabane is a cheerful flower that loves to grow in cool, high-altitude areas. Its colorful blooms can brighten up even the most rocky landscapes! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Subalpine meadows and rocky slopes in mountainous regions. - **Also known as:** Alpine Fleabane, Glacial Fleabane, Mountain Fleabane ![Subalpine Fleabane](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Erigeron_glacialis_4176.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erigeron_glacialis_4176.JPG) ## Appearance The Subalpine Fleabane has vibrant daisy-like flowers, typically with numerous slender purple or lavender ray petals surrounding a bright yellow center. Its stems and leaves are often covered in fine hairs, giving it a slightly fuzzy appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Erigeron ## Interesting facts - Its flowers are heliotropic, slowly turning to follow the sun across the sky! - Its genus name Erigeron means 'early old man' for its early flowering and fuzzy seeds! - The 'fleabane' name comes from an old belief it repelled fleas, but it doesn't! - This tough plant grows where snow lingers, popping up quickly as ice melts! ## Special abilities - **High-Altitude Survivor:** Subalpine Fleabane has strong roots and compact growth, helping it survive harsh winds and cold in mountains. - **Fuzzy Armor:** Subalpine Fleabane has tiny hairs on its leaves and stems, protecting it from intense sun and cold mountain air. - **Seed Sprinter:** Subalpine Fleabane produces lightweight seeds carried by wind, helping it spread to new rocky slopes. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-40 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Mid-summer to early fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — Collects nectar and pollen, aiding in reproduction. - **Pollinates:** [Painted Lady](https://www.snappit.app/explore/painted-lady) (*Vanessa cardui*) — Feeds on nectar, helping to spread pollen between flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Yellow-bellied Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-bellied-marmot) (*Marmota flaviventris*) — May occasionally browse on its leaves and stems. ## 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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 Subalpine 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 Subalpine Fleabane? 10-40 cm ### How wide does Subalpine Fleabane spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Subalpine Fleabane? 1-3 cm ### When does Subalpine Fleabane bloom? Mid-summer to early fall ### Is Subalpine Fleabane edible? No ### Is Subalpine Fleabane toxic? None ### What is Subalpine Fleabane's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Rim Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rim-village-historic-district) — Oregon, US · Historic District - [Tantalus Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tantalus-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Munson Valley Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/munson-valley-historic-district) — Oregon, US · Historic District - [Sunrise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunrise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Yakima Park Stockade Group](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yakima-park-stockade-group) — Washington, US · Historic District [View all places to see Subalpine Fleabane](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/subalpine-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: [Subalpine Fleabane: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/subalpine-fleabane)