Practical
Plants

Erigeron philadelphicus

Philadelphia Fleabane

a biennial or perennial member of the Erigeron genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
0.7 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Lepidoptera, Bees, Apomixy
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Lepidoptera, Bees, Apomixy

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[3].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea made from the plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic and emmenagogue[3][7]. It is used in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea, gout, gravel, epilepsy and menstrual problems[2][6][7]. A poultice of the plant is used to treat headaches and is also applied to sores[7]. It should not be taken by pregnant women since it can induce a miscarriage[7]. A snuff made from the powdered florets is used to make a person with catarrh sneeze[7].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Errhine

Environment

Range
N. America - Labrador to British Columbia, south to Florida and California.
Habitat
Thickets[3]. Fields and woods[5]. Low prairies and streambanks, often on calcareous clays[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in situ. The seed usually germinates within four weeks.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[1]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[4]. Plants grow in calcareous and clay soils in the wild[8]. Plants produce masses of seed and often self-sow freely when in a suitable position[1][4]. Very few members of this genus will hybridise with other members of the genus[8].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  2. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  3. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  5. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  6. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩1↩2↩3

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