Bitter Fleabane
Erigeron acris var. kamtschaticus
Synonyms: Erigeron acris ssp. politus, Erigeron acris var. asteroides, Trimorpha acris var. asteroides
The photo above shows a close-up of the flower
head of bitter fleabane as seen from directly above. Note the numerous narrow
ray flowers which are very short and barely extend past the involucral bracts.
Photographed at about 4600' atop the lava flow at the northern edge of Takh
Takh Meadows on the northern slopes of of Mt. Adams.........August 6,
2005.
The photo above shows a close-up of the flower head of bitter
fleabane as seen from the side. Note the numerous narrow ray flowers as well
as the long, narrow involucral bracts. Photographed at about 4600' atop the
lava flow at the northern edge of Takh Takh Meadows on the northern slopes of
of Mt. Adams..........August 6, 2005.
The photo above shows a close-up of part of the inflorescence
of bitter fleabane. This subspecies of bitter fleabane (ssp. politus)
has multiple flower heads which make up the inflorescence. Subspecies acris
var. debilis typically has a single flower head atop its stem. Photographed
at about 4600' atop the lava flow at the northern edge of Takh Takh Meadows
on the northern slopes of of Mt. Adams.........August 6, 2005.
The photo above shows a close-up of a basal
leaf of bitter fleabane as seen from directly above. Note the spreading hairs,
especially along the margin of the petiole. Photographed at about 4600' atop
the lava flow at the northern edge of Takh Takh Meadows on the northern slopes
of of Mt. Adams.........August 6, 2005.
The photo above shows the general form of bitter fleaban. Note
the numerous flower heads atop the stems which is a key identifying characteristic
for subspecies politus. Photographed at about 4600' atop the lava flow
at the northern edge of Takh Takh Meadows on the northern slopes of of Mt. Adams.........August
6, 2005.
The photo above shows the oblanceolate basal leaves of bitter daisy.
Paul Slichter