The name of this species is not universally accepted. We are following the treatment in 'Flora of North America Editorial Committee, e. 2006. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 7: Asteraceae, part 2. Fl. N. Amer. 20: i - xxii + 1 - 666.'[], and many other treatments. However, many works including 'Flora of China Editorial Committee. 2011. Flora of China (Asteraceae). 20 - 21: 1 - 992. In C. Y. Wu, P. H. Raven & D. Y. Hong (eds.) Fl. China. Science Press & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. Louis.'[] treat this species as Erigeron canadensis L.

Common Name: Canada Fleabane

General Information

Canada fleabane is an erect, annual plant usually growing from 50 - 200cm tall[]. It has a long taproot, is unbranched at the base but branched nearer the apex. The plant is very adaptable to differing conditions and can vary dramatically in height, from only a few centimetres in poor soils to as much as 3 metres tall in rich soils[].

Known Hazards

Skin contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in some people[].

Botanical References

,

Range

N. America - in virtually all mainland states. Widely naturalized in temperate to tropical areas around the world.

Habitat

Light soils on waste and cultivated land, also on walls, avoiding acid soils[]. Adventive and sometimes locally common on sandy soils near coast, sand dunes, and open grassy hills, in villages, gardens, and waste places, and along roadsides[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a well-drained light or medium neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny position, though it tolerates most conditions[].
Originally from N. America, Canada fleabane has become naturalized in many areas of the world and is considered to be a nuisance weed in many areas[].
The crushed leaves and other plant parts have the faint odor of carrots[].
The plant is used commercially as a food flavouring[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and seedlings - cooked[, ]. Boiled, cooked in rice or dried for later use[]. A nutritional analysis of the leaves is available[].

The source of an essential oil that is used commercially for flavouring sweets, condiments and soft drinks[]. The fresh leaves contain 0.2 - 0.66% essential oil[].

Medicinal

In traditional North American herbal medicine, Canada fleabane was boiled to make steam for sweat lodges, taken as a snuff to stimulate sneezing during the course of a cold and burned to create a smoke that warded off insects[]. Nowadays it is valued most for its astringency, being used in the treatment of gastro-intestinal problems such as diarrhoea and dysentery[]. It is said to be a very effective treatment for bleeding haemorrhoids[].

The whole plant is antirheumatic, astringent, balsamic, diuretic, emmenagogue, styptic, tonic and vermifuge[, , , , ]. It can be harvested at any time that it is in flower and is best used when fresh[, , ]. The seeds can also be used[].
An infusion of the plant has been used to treat diarrhoea and internal haemorrhages[], and is drunk as a tea to treat hangovers caused by drinking too much alcohol[].
Applied externally, the plant is used to treat gonorrhoea[] and bleeding piles[].
The dried herb should not be stored for more than a year[].

The leaves are experimentally hypoglycaemic[].

The essential oil found in the leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and internal haemorrhages[, , ]. It is a uterine stimulant[] and is also said to be valuable in the treatment of inflamed tonsils plus ulceration and inflammation of the throat[].

A tea of the boiled roots is used to treat menstrual irregularities[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[]. It is used in the treatment of haemorrhoids and painful menstruation[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good bee plant[] but unfortunately it also harbours various insect pests such as the tarnished plant bug[].

Other Uses

The plant contains small quantities of essential oil[]. Since the plant is readily obtainable, extraction of the oil is feasible - it has a special quality that would make it suitable in the making of perfumes with unusual nuances[, ].

The plant is burned to create a smoke that wards off insects[].

Propagation

Seed -

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