Pulicaria dysenterica

Pulicaria dysenterica, the common fleabane,[1] or, in North America, meadow false fleabane,[2] is a species of fleabane in the daisy family. It is native to Europe and western Asia where it grows in a variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid Mediterranean woodlands to wetter situations.[3] Pulicaria dysenterica is perennial and can form dense clusters of plants, spreading by its roots. It flowers at its maximum height of about 60 centimetres (2.0 ft).[4] Leaves are alternately arranged and clasp the stem, which itself contains a salty-astringent liquid. The yellow inflorescences are typically composed of a prominent centre of 40–100 disc florets surrounded by 20–30 narrow, pistillate ray florets. When setting seed the flower heads reflex.[5]

Pulicaria dysenterica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Pulicaria
Species:
P. dysenterica
Binomial name
Pulicaria dysenterica

Fleabane's common name comes from its former use as an incense to drive away insects.[5] Other past uses include treatments for dysentery and unspecified ocular maladies.[3]

References
  1. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. "Pulicaria dysenterica". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  3. http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/flowers/British-Wild-Flowers-1/Fleabane-Pulicaria-Dysenterica-Gray.html
  4. http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Pulicaria+dysenterica
  5. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=127631

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