Seaside fleabane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seaside fleabane
Scientific classification
Genus:	Erigeron
Species:	glaucus
Synonyms
Synonymy Aster bonariensis Spreng. Aster californicus Less. Aster glaucus (Ker Gawl.) Pépin 1832 not Nees 1818 Erigeron hispidus Nutt. Erigeron maritimus Nutt. Erigeron squarrosus Lindl. Stenactis glauca (Ker Gawl.) Nees

Erigeron glaucus, also known as the seaside fleabane or seaside daisy, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, which includes many familiar flowers like sunflowers and dandelions.

This special wildflower grows along the coastlines of Oregon and California. You can find it on sandy beaches, rocky bluffs, and even sand dunes. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and often comes back each spring.

The seaside daisy usually grows between 5 and 30 centimeters (about 2 to 12 inches) tall. It has stems that can be a bit hairy or smooth. The plant grows from a thick underground stem called a rhizome. Its leaves are sturdy and can be rounded or spoon-shaped, sometimes with a few small teeth along the edges. Each leaf can be 2 to 13 centimeters (about 1 to 5 inches) long.

The plant produces lovely flower heads, usually one to 15 of them on each stem. These flower heads can be from 1 to over 3 centimeters (about 0.4 to 1.2 inches) wide. In the center, you'll see bright golden yellow disc florets. Around the edges, there are colorful ray florets, which look like petals. These can be long or short and come in shades of deep blue, purple, or even nearly white.

Where Does the Seaside Daisy Grow?

The seaside daisy is found in several different natural areas. One unique place it grows is within the Monterey cypress forests. These special forests are located along the central coast of California. The plant thrives in these coastal environments, showing how adaptable it is to different habitats near the ocean.

Gallery

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  Seaside Daisy

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  Seaside Fleabane

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  Photo of Seaside Daisy taken near Point Arena Lighthouse

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  Erigeron glaucus, Botanical garden of Fribourg

Images for kids

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  Erigeron glaucus