Syn.: Erigeron multicolor Lunell, Erigeron subcostatus Lunell, Erigeron tardus Lunell, Fragmosa glabella (Nutt.) Raf. ex B. D.Jacks.
Family: Asteraceae Bercht. et J. Presl
Distribution: From Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories, through Canadian provinces from British Columbia to Ontario and in US in all Midwest states to south to New Mexico. In its area of distribution it as recognized in 2 varieties; E. glabellus var. glabellus and E. g. var. pubescens.
Ecology: Moist woods, meadows and prairies and as one of the common names suggests, on banks of water streams in elevations similar to E. caespitosa from 1000–3000 m. It blooms from June to August.
Description: Biennial or perennial herb. Stems 10–50 cm tall, often covered with short, stiff hairs; roots are fibrous. Basal leaves are petiolate, oblong to lanceolate, 5–10 cm long, 5–15 mm wide, hairless; stem leaves alternate, smaller, linear to lanceolate; all leaves with one prominent nerve. Flower heads 1–10, borne singly on long stalks; bracts linear, midvein often brown; heads 1–3 cm across; ray florets 125–175, blue to pink or white, 8–15 mm long, less than 1 mm wide, disc florets numerous, yellow, disc 10–20 mm wide. The fruit is an achene with pappus of capillary bristles.
These images were taken in Canada: Alberta, Calgary, Weaselhead and British Columbia, Burton (summer 2013).
