Seaside Fleabane

Erigeron glaucus

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Erigeron
Species:
Erigeron glaucus
USDA Symbol:
ERGL3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
30 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
lavender, purple, pink, white
Ground Cover:
Yes

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

orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), william's plume moth (Platyptilia williamsii)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees, beneficial insects
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to coastal dunes and bluffs

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–28 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: Seeds are collected between Jun 1st and August 1st. Mature capsules are brown. Seed is black and tiny at maturity. D. aurantiacus is found in rocky places in the coastal range and foothills of the Sierras, below 3,000 feet elevation; from Santa Berbara and Placer counties to western Oregon.

Source: npn.rngr.net

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society