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Philadelphia Fleabane vs Robin's Plantain

These two species can be confused, as both have abundant basal leaves and clasping leaves along the stem, and both can be found in lightly-shaded habitats. They are easily distinguished by flowers, and they also have little overlap in habitat: E. philadelphicus prefers moister, more disturbed habitats with richer soils, and tolerates poor drainage, whereas E. pulchellus prefers drier, less-disturbed habitats in undisturbed soil of low fertility.

Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)

Robin's Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus)

A common and widely-distributed biennial or short-lived perennial native to North America.
A perennial favoring slightly dry sites of low soil fertility in open woodlands.
Flowers have much more (100-150), narrower rays, leading to a wispy appearance.
Photo © Violet T., CC BY 4.0.
Flowers have fewer (about 50), wider rays.
Photo © Scott Morris, CC BY 4.0.
Plants average much taller, frequently to 2.5 feet.
Photo © Alex Goodfriend, CC BY 4.0.
Plants average much shorter, usually under 1.5 feet.
Photo © mjpapay, CC BY 4.0.
Found in moister, richer, more disturbed, often poorly-drained habitats, often with more competition from ground-level vegetation.
Photo © Allen Toulouse, CC BY 4.0.
Found in drier, better-drained habitats with less-fertile soil, and less competition from ground-level vegetation, but less disturbed.
Photo © mjpapay, CC BY 4.0.
Pubescence on stems and foliage tends to be less dense, and hairs shorter.
Photo © Bill Keim, CC BY 4.0.
Pubescence on stems and foliage tends to be much denser, and hairs longer.
Photo © aarongunnar, CC BY 4.0.

References & External Resources

These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, whcih is the first entry here.

Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)

Robin's Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus)

Erigeron philadelphicus | Go Botany (About This Site)

Erigeron pulchellus | Go Botany (About This Site)

Erigeron philadelphicus (Philadelphia Fleabane) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)

Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's Plantain) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)

Erigeron philadelphicus | Flora of North America (About This Site)

Erigeron pulchellus | Flora of North America (About This Site)

Erigeron philadelphicus | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)

Erigeron pulchellus | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)