HerbWildAnnualMedicinal

Erigeron bonariensis L.

Phulni

Synonym: Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist

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Description

Erigeron bonariensis is an erect annual herb, usually 30–120 cm tall, densely covered with soft greyish hairs. Stems are branched mainly in the upper part. Leaves are alternate, narrow-lanceolate, sessile, and entire to slightly toothed. Numerous small cylindrical flower heads are arranged in dense terminal panicles. Ray florets are extremely short, whitish to pale purple, while disc florets are yellow. Fruits are narrow achenes crowned with a white pappus of fine bristles.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Greyish hairy stems and narrow sessile leaves.

Floral

Numerous small cylindrical flower heads arranged in dense terminal clusters.

Fruit & Seed

Small achenes with a conspicuous white pappus.

Distribution

Native range: South America.

Introduced range: Naturalized throughout tropical and temperate regions worldwide.

In Pakistan: Widespread throughout Pakistan, particularly in disturbed habitats.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: February–October Fruiting: March–November

Ethnobotany & Uses

Uses

Occasionally used in traditional medicine for treating inflammation and minor wounds. Considered an important agricultural weed in many crops due to prolific seed production.

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

This species was formerly placed in the genus Conyza and is still frequently cited as Conyza bonariensis. Molecular studies support its placement in Erigeron. It is distinguished from E. canadensis by its denser pubescence, broader inflorescence, and shorter stature.