Erigeron grandiflorus/simplex, June 23, 2020
Hairy phyllaries of E. grandiflorus/simplex
Common & scientific name
One-headed daisy, Erigeron grandiflorus/simplex
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Lackawanna ridge, 12,800
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This true tundra plant, variously called Erigeron grandiflorus or Erigeron simplex, ranges from lavender to pink to white, has very hairy phyllaries (the whorl of bracts surrounding the flower (actually flowers—as a member of the Sunflower family, the daisy has multiple ray flowers (the “petals”) surrounding multiple disk flowers that make up the yellow middle(the “button”)), and simple (undivided, smooth on the edge) leaves. This is how to tell it apart from other Erigerons it shares the high country with.