Erigeron lanatus

Erigeron lanatus
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Astereae
Genus:	Erigeron
Species:	E. lanatus
Binomial name
Erigeron lanatus Hook.

Erigeron lanatus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name woolly fleabane. It is native to western North America, where it occurs in the mountains straddling the border between British Columbia and Alberta and Montana. It has a disjunct distribution, with separate populations occurring as far north as Yukon and as far south as Colorado.^[1][2]

This plant is a small perennial herb growing just a few centimeters tall. The leaves are mostly basal, each roughly lance-shaped and up to 3 centimeters long. They are coated in loose, woolly fibers. The inflorescence is made up of one flower head with white or purple-tinged ray florets measuring about 1 centimeter long. The head is lined with hairy purple or purple-tipped phyllaries. Blooming occurs in July and August. The head is an achene with a pappus of bristles.^[3]

This plant grows in high-elevation subalpine and alpine climates. It is most often found growing in limestone scree. It has been seen growing with Siberian aster (Aster sibiricus) and starwort (Stellaria americana).^[1]

Hiking and mining may threaten this species in some areas.^[2]

References