Question: This appeared on an unmowed lawn in eastern Massachusetts, growing near a patch of Erigeron canadensis. Is it Erigeron strigosus? …
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Question
This appeared on an unmowed lawn in eastern Massachusetts, growing near a patch of Erigeron canadensis. Is it Erigeron strigosus? Flowers are a little large, about 18 mm across in total while the key says rays of E. strigosus should be 4-6 mm. It is hosting an aphid colony.
Answer
Dear jfc, it looks more like Erigeron annuus. The spreading hairs on the stem and longer rays suggest this. For this species complex, images of the basal leaves are really important to distinguish them with more confidence. Best wishes.
