Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Asteraceae

Genus:

Erigeron

Species:

Erigeron annuus

USDA Symbol:

ERAN

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

150 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct

Bloom Colors:

white, pink, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:

★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, beneficial insects

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from the root crown after fire and readily colonizes disturbed or burned areas from seed.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, well-drained loamy or sandy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

moderate moisture

Notes:

commonly found in disturbed areas like roadsides and fields

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

7–21 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Germinates readily at 65-75°F.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI