Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Erigeron cinereus, E. commixtus, E. dicladus, E. divergens var. cinereus, E. tephrodes, E. tracyi, E. williamsii
Other common names
running daisy
Tracy's daisy
sprawling daisy
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial
Similar species
E. flagellaris
Height
To about 7 inches
Riparian
No
Stems erect at first. Later in the season, trailing stems (stolons) are produced that grow flat on the ground and may root to form new plants. Most leaves grow at the plant base. White daisy-like flowers, yellow center, may be tinged purplish underneath.
Stems hairy; leaves narrow, pointed at base, often spatula-like, margins smooth to toothed, rarely lobed; bracts below flowers in 2 to 5 series, similar in size; flower heads 1 to 3 per stem, 1 common, rays white, discs yellow; bristles on top of seeds.
Habitat
Found on dry slopes, hillsides, pastures and open woodlands as well as on roadsides and fence rows (uncultivated land on each side of and below a fence).
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2200
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Stems are usually topped by 1 (at times, 2 to 3) daisy-like flower head(s) about 3/4 inch wide consisting of: 60 to 130 strap-shaped 1/2 inch white florets (rays) which surround the over 200 tiny (1/16 inch) yellow florets (discs) in the center.
Flower color
White, yellow center
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves, stems have a dense covering of spreading white hairs giving a grayish-green appearance. Leaves basal and on stems, grow to 2-3/4 inches long, about 1/2 inch wide with margins that may be smooth, toothed or lobed (rarely). Basal leaves stemmed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Tiny fruit is less than 1/16 inch, dry, oblong, flattened, with 2 ribs on its surface and sparsely covered with short, stiff, flat hairs. On top of the fruit is a double cluster of hairlike bristles. Fruit does not open at maturity to release the seed.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown
1 seed is produced by the fruit. There are bristles on top of the seed which promote wind dispersal.