Abajo Fleabane

Erigeron abajoensis is a segregate of E. caespitosus, separated from the latter only by its strigose (versus hirsute) stems and leaves and greater tendency for 1-nerved leaves. Further, some populations of E. abajoensis have plants variable in orientation of stem vestiture [both antrorsely appressed and deflexed; e.g., Cronquist 9430, Garfield Co., Utah (BRIT, NY); Heil and Clifford 17919, Apache Co., Ariz. (BRIT, SJNM)] and similar variation in cauline vestiture also occurs in E. caespitosus.

Perennials, 5–15(–24) cm; taprooted, caudices branches relatively thick and short, retaining old leaf bases. Stems ascending to decumbent (greenish proximally), usually loosely strigose (hairs ascending, attenuate, basal cells erect), uncommonly hirsute or hirtellous (hairs spreading-deflexed), eglandular. Leaves basal (persistent) and cauline; basal blades usually oblanceolate, 15–70 × 2–6(–8) mm (bases attenuate), margins entire (apices rounded to obtuse); cauline blades linear to linear-oblong or narrowly lanceolate-oblong, mostly 10–40 × 1.5–4 mm, gradually reduced distally; faces strigose, eglandular. Heads 1–4. Involucres 3.7–5.2 × (5–)10–11 mm. Phyllaries in 2–3(–4) series, strigose to strigulose or finely hirsuto-villous, minutely glandular. Ray florets 35–60; corollas blue to pink or white, 5–6 mm, laminae weakly coiling. Disc corollas 2.5–4 mm. Cypselae 1.5–2 mm, 2-nerved, faces strigose; pappi: outer of setae, inner of 12–20 bristles.

Erigeron awapensis S. L. Welsh

Erigeron abajoensis, the Abajo fleabane, is a species of Erigeron in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Utah in the western United States, and has been found also in neighboring parts of Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It grows on sunny, dry, rocky slopes generally at elevations of 2,270 to 3,400 meters (7550–11350 feet).

Erigeron abajoensis is a short (5 to 25 cm or 2-10 inches tall) perennial plant. The leaves are narrowly oblanceolate (i.e. with a broad-rounded apex and a tapering base), set with stiff, straight bristles and located at the base of the stem. The flower heads are sometimes produced one at a time, sometimes in groups of 3 or 4. Each head contains as many as 60 blue or pink or white ray florets and many yellow disc florets, all produced in the summer.

The species is named for the Abajo Mountains in southern Utah.