Mexican Fleabane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mexican Fleabane
• Santa Barbera daisy
• bony-tip fleabane
• Latin American Fleabane
• Mexican daisy
• Santa Barbara daisy
• St Peter Port Daisy
• Wall Daisy
• daisy fleabane
• seaside daisy

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erigeron karvinskianus var. mucronatus
• Erigeron mucronatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Erigeron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a notable presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, its range extends further north into the territory of Sweden. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also established in Austria. Finally, its distribution reaches into Belgium, completing its documented geographical spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erigeron karvinskianus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and a preference for specific coastal environments. This species is capable of thriving across a significant vertical gradient, ranging from sea level at 0 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 3150 m AMSL. Its primary habitat includes coastal regions, where it adapts to the unique environmental pressures associated with maritime proximity. This wide elevational range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to occupy diverse niches from low-lying seaside ecosystems to high-altitude montane zones.

Elevational range max:

3150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Genetics

The genetics of Erigeron karvinowskianus are characterized by a high degree of cytogenetic complexity and significant variation in ploidy levels. Research into its karyotype reveals a diverse range of chromosome numbers, which suggests a history of polyploidization events within the species. Specifically, documented chromosome numbers include 10, 18, 27, 32, 34, 36, and 54. This wide numerical spectrum indicates that the plant exists in various chromosomal states, ranging from lower diploid or aneuploid configurations to much higher polyploid series, contributing to its genetic plasticity and adaptability.

Chromosome number :

10, 18, 27, 32, 34, 36, 54

Life history

The life history of Erigeron karvinskianus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Classified under the life form of a chamaephyte, its regenerative buds are located close to the soil surface, a trait that aids in its survival within its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and provides continuous coverage throughout its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erigeron karvinskianus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and is strictly self-supporting, rather than acting as a climber or liana. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and is classified as a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte or aquatic plant. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a minimum height of 0.1 m, a mean height of 0.16 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 0.7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height mean:

0.16 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erigeron karvinskianus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant exhibits an alternate leaf arrangement along its stem, featuring elliptic-shaped foliage that varies in dimensions. The leaves demonstrate significant morphological plasticity, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, while the width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.1 cm and a maximum of 1 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 1 cm. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nitrogen availability to support its physiological development and growth.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erigeron karvinseanus involves both sexual and asexual processes, with the sexual phase characterized by bisexual flowers that exhibit a red coloration. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in August. These flowers are relatively small, with a length ranging from 0.5 to 0.6 cm and a width between 1.2 and 2.5 cm. Pollination is achieved through a biotic syndrome, specifically relying on insects. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are indehiscent, with a mean length of 0.1 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.12 cm to a maximum of 0.15 cm). Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds. The seeds themselves are uniform in length at approximately 1.5 mm and possess a mean mass of 0.000416666666666667 g, with a maximum and minimum recorded mass of 0.001 g. Dispersal of these seeds is primarily anemochorous, meaning they are dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

red

Flower length max:

0.6 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Flower width max:

2.5 cm

Flower width min:

1.2 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.15 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.1 cm

Fruit length min:

0.12 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

present

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

1.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.001 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000416666666666667 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erigeron karvinskianus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include LIMONENE.

LIMONENE

1. Natural product communications

Preparations

Erigeron karvinskianus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil.

Essential oil

1. Natural product communications