Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers.

Erect annual herb. Stems ridged, sparsely to densely hairy, especially below, usually branched only above to form infl., sometimes branched from base, not rooting, 20–100–(150) cm tall. Lvs all cauline at flowering; lower cauline lvs elliptic to ovate-elliptic, apetiolate and cuneate, cuspidate, serrate, sparsely to moderately hairy, ciliate, 30–80 × 7–20 mm; uppermost lvs smaller, narrow-elliptic, sometimes obtuse at base, entire. Capitula c. 15–20 mm diam., 3-numerous in corymbs or panicles. Involucral bracts lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, sparsely hairy, 3.5–5 mm long. Ligules linear, pale blue or white, 3.5–7 mm long. Disc yellow. Achenes sparsely hairy, c. 0.8 mm long; pappus of disc florets of 1 row of long hairs and an outer row of short scales; pappus of ray florets of short scales only.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Apr.