Minnesota Wildflowers


or try: advanced plant search
Share |

Conyza canadensis (Canadian Horseweed)

Plant Info
Also known as: Canada Fleabane
Genus:Conyza
Family:Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:annual, biennial
Origin:native
Habitat:sun; along roads, fields, disturbed soil
Bloom season:July - October
Plant height:6 inches to 7 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: 7+petals panicle

[photo of flowers] Flowers are in a large open cluster at the top of the plant. Individual flowers are about 1/8 inch across with 20 to 40 minute white or pinkish petals (ray flowers) and a yellow center. The flowers aren't very noticeable until you get relatively close to the plant, and look like they are just starting to open up even when in full bloom.

Leaves and stem: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are narrow and blade-like, to 4 inches long and less than ½ inch wide, becoming progressively smaller as they ascend the stem. The leaf edges on the lower part of the plant have small widely spaced teeth, those on the upper part are toothless. There is little or no leaf stem. Leaves are alternately attached and crowded along the main stem. The leaf edges and the main stem are covered in stiff hairs.

Fruit:

[photo of seed] Seeds have a tuft of light brown hair attached to carry them off in the wind.

Notes:

Canadian Horseweed is a weedy plant that grows almost anywhere. It seems to prefer dry soil, but grows in moist habitats as well. I have a bunch of it growing in my back yard, not by choice.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, July 2006 and July 2007

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Robbi in St. Cloud
on: 2011-07-09 00:45:24

Am pulling this out of my flowerbed often.

Posted by: K. Chayka in New Brighton
on: 2011-07-09 04:20:43

Me, too. :)

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.



(required)




Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.