Erigeron glabellus, the smooth fleabane! It's a charming little wildflower that brings a touch of delicate beauty to the landscapes it graces. Let me paint a picture for you:

Imagine a plant standing typically between 10 and 40 centimeters tall, though sometimes it can reach a bit higher. Its stems are usually smooth, or perhaps with just a few scattered hairs, giving it that “glabrous” or smooth feel that its name suggests.

The leaves are generally lance-shaped or oblanceolate, meaning they're widest above the middle and taper towards the base. The basal leaves, the ones growing from the ground, are often larger and have longer stalks compared to the leaves that clasp the stem higher up. The edges of the leaves can be smooth or have a few shallow teeth.  

But the real showstopper is the flower head, or rather, the collection of flower heads. Smooth fleabane typically produces one to several of these at the top of its stem. Each head is like a miniature sunburst. It features numerous slender ray florets, which are the petal-like structures around the edge. These are usually a lovely shade of pale to deep blue or violet, sometimes even white, creating a beautiful contrast with the yellow disc florets in the center.  

You'll often find Erigeron glabellus blooming in the late spring and summer, adding splashes of color to meadows, open woodlands, and rocky slopes. It's quite adaptable and can be found in various habitats across western North America.  

It's a plant that, while perhaps not as showy as some of the bolder wildflowers, has a subtle elegance that's quite captivating. The delicate petals and the cheerful yellow center make it a welcome sight for anyone who appreciates the finer details of the natural world.

Distributions
foothills; prairie; parkland; boreal; montane

Light
full-sun

Bloom Period
summer

Height
10 – 60 cm
4 – 24 Inch

Habitat
Fescue grassland, open woods, willow thickets.