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Click to read about the Erigeron genus.

Erigeron speciosus

 

Erigeron speciosus

 

Erigeron speciosus

Erigeron speciosus

Erigeron speciosus

Erigeron speciosus

 

 

 

 

 

Erigeron speciosus (Showy Daisy, Showy Fleabane, Aspen Daisy)
 Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Montane, subalpine.  Meadows.  Summer.
Above: Near Roaring Fork Road, August 5, 2020 and Navajo Lake Trail, August 6, 2014.
Left: El Diente Trail, July 22, 2004 and October 4, 2012.

Showy Daisy, one of the most common Erigeron species in the San Juan Mountains and in much of the mountainous Four Corners area, is abundant from mid-mountain elevations to sub-alpine meadows and it puts on a grand display in mid and late summer. Its fuzzy lavender buds give way to multi-rayed lavender flowers in large bouquets. 

Leaves are narrow, openly spaced along the stem, and often have hairs along the margin ("ciliate").  Stems are maroon-tinged.

Fall colors are subdued hues of reds, purples, yellows, and greens.

Compare Erigeron speciosus with the very similar Erigeron subtrinervis.

"Specios" is Latin for "showy" or "beautiful".  About 1830 David Douglas (of Douglas Fir fame) collected the first seeds of this plant in California; they were grown into plants in England.

Erigeron speciosus

Erigeron speciosus

Erigeron speciosus (Showy Daisy, Showy Fleabane, Aspen Daisy)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Montane, subalpine.  Meadows.  Summer.
Scotch Creek Road, July 1, 2004 and
Little Taylor Creek Trail, August 20, 2007.
Erigeron speciosus
Erigeron speciosus (Showy Daisy, Showy Fleabane, Aspen Daisy)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Montane, subalpine.  Meadows.  Summer.
Sneffels Highline Trail, August 4, 2004.

Hundreds of plants often carpet meadows.

 

Erigeron speciosus (Showy Daisy, Showy Fleabane, Aspen Daisy)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Montane, subalpine.  Meadows.  Summer.
Little Taylor Creek Trail, August 20, 2007.

Erigeron speciosus and Heliomeris multiflora abound in meadows and open woods through July and August.  Click for a photograph of an Erigeron speciosus and Heliomeris multiflora meadow.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Erigeron speciosus