Pulicaria_dysenterica
Pulicaria dysenterica
Species of plant
Pulicaria dysenterica, the common fleabane,[1] or, in North America, meadow false fleabane,[2] is a species of fleabane in the family Asteraceae. 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]
Common fleabane is the main food plant for the fleabane tortoise beetle (Cassida murraea),[6] and for four micromoths, Apodia bifractella,[7] Ptocheuusa paupella,[8] dusky plume (Oidaematophorus lithodactyla)[9] and Digitivalva pulicariae.[10]
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]
