This early spring bloomer stands 8–30-inches tall on terminally-branching, slender stems, leafy to the flower heads, and covered with long hairs. Note the nodding buds, large number (150+) of slender, white ray flowers in the flower head, and upper leaves that clasp the stem.

FLOWER: February–May. Numerous 1/2–1-inch wide (12–25 mm) flower heads are densely packed with 150–200 (400) white to pinkish, narrow ray flowers surrounding a yellow disk of tiny florets. The 3/16–3/8-inch long (5–10 mm) rays do not coil up. Flowers close at night.

LEAVES: Basal and alternate lower stem leaves reach 6-inches long and are spoon-shaped with tapering bases and toothed margins; basal leaves usually wither by blooming. Stem leaves alternate, oblong to lance-shaped, get smaller upward with distinctive bases that wrap around and clasp the stem. The blades have pointed tips, hairy surfaces and margins, and may have widely spaced teeth.

HABITAT: Moist sandy, loamy soils of riparian woodlands, plains, ditches, disturbed areas.

ELEVATION: 4,700–9,500 feet.

RANGE: Widespread from the Missouri River eastward, and west coast states.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The large number of ray florets and upper clasping, toothed leaves distinguish this species. Plains Fleabane, E. modestus, in dryer habitats in eastern and southern NM, forms low, 3–6-inch high clumps and has nodding, pink buds and narrow, nonclasping stem leaves.

NM COUNTIES: In the western half of NM in low- to mid-elevation, moist habitats: Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Dona Ana, Grant, Lincoln, Los Alamos, Otero, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Socorro.