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Native Plant Society of Texas

Prairie Fleabane

Erigeron modestus

Other common name(s):

Plains Fleabane

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Semiarid Canadian Breaks

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

0.5
to
1
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Calcareous, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Short-lived perennial. Drought tolerant. Lower leaves wither away as the season progresses. By late in the season, the plant has fallen over and taken on a sprawling habit. Cut the plant back by a third for continuous blooming all summer or allow to go to seed to provide food for wildlife. Works well in a container gardens or xeriscapes. Native habitat: dry, open, rocky, calcareous uplands. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms February-October. Forms a low, hairy-leaved clump. Pubescent foliage on leafless stalks. Numerous white, aster-like flowers. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Erigeron lobatus var. warnockii, Erigeron plateauensis, Erigeron warnockii

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Soak the harvested seeds in water for about 24 hours to help soften the seed coat and enhance germination rates. Fill seed trays or small pots with a well-draining potting mix. Sow the soaked seeds on the surface and lightly press them into the soil. Avoid covering the seeds with too much soil. Moisten the soil with a gentle spray of water. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the germination period, which typically takes a few weeks. Once seedlings have grown a few true leaves and are strong enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots or directly into the garden, spacing them appropriately to allow room for growth. Collect seeds from mature plains fleabane plants. Ensure that the seeds are fully ripened and dry before collection for optimal germination. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Erigeron_modestus.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason