Erigeron sumatrensis Retz.

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Erigeron

Sinònims: Conyza floribunda Kunth. Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E.Walker

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Neotropical

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones.

Characteristics: An erect herbaceous plant that can reach up to two metres in height, branches out in the upper portions. Stands out amongst other plants that grow along roadsides and cultivated fields due to its great size, and for its big terminal inflorescence that can grow to be so heavy that it is toppled by its own weight! It has a rosette of basal leaves, very largely toothed, the rosette remains in such form until flowering. The caulinary leaves are elongate and often slightly toothed as well. The capitula are small, and these as the rest of the plant is covered with hairs. Can be differentiated from Conyza canadensis as this former species flowers during the summer but some can be observed in flower up until winter. This plant originally from the North American continent.