[Fleabanes: The Genus Erigeron in Mt. Adams Country]

Bitter Fleabane

Erigeron acris var. kamtschaticus

Synonyms: Erigeron acris ssp. politus, Erigeron acris var. asteroides, Trimorpha acris var. asteroides

Flower head of 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.

Flower head of 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 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.

Inflorescence of 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 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.

Basal leaf of 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 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.

Bitter Fleabane: Erigeron acris var. kamtschaticus (Synonyms: Erigeron acris ssp. politus, Erigeron acris var. asteroides, Trimorpha acris var. asteroides)

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.

Basal leaves of Bitter Fleabane: Erigeron acris var. kamtschaticus (Synonyms: Erigeron acris ssp. politus, Erigeron acris var. asteroides, Trimorpha acris var. asteroides)

The photo above shows the oblanceolate basal leaves of bitter daisy.

Paul Slichter