Erigeron sumatrensis
Common names
broad-leaved flea-bane
Synonyms
Conyza albida (Willdenow), Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E.H.Walker
Family
Asteraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledonous composites
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
CONSUM
Conservation status
Not applicable
Simplified description
The plant has a branched hairy flower stalk 30 to 60 cm high, with leaves tapering to both ends (Hilgendorf 1926). The plant has numerous dingy cream heads 0.5 cm in diameter, with red-purple tinge.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FACU: Facultative Upland
Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands (non-wetlands).
Similar taxa
Erigeron bonariensis is easily distinguished from the other common weedy Erigeron spp. by its narrow leaves, usually twisted and with wavy or undulate margins and by its larger flower heads (capitula). E. bilbaoanus has its bracts around each capitulum (the involucral bracts) much less hairy than those of E. bonariensis and E. sumatrensis, the latter two being distinguished most readily by the twisted vs flat leaves.
Flower colours
White, Yellow
Year naturalised
1957
Origin
Subtropical S. America. Also known in New Zealand as Conyza albida Spreng.
Etymology
erigeron: From the Greek eri ‘early’ (or ear ‘spring’) and geron ‘old’, possibly alluding to the hairy seed pappus, or perhaps to the hoary appearance of the leaves of some species in the spring.