Yukon Fleabane

Perennials, 10–30(–40) cm; rhizomatous, fibrous-rooted, caudices or rhizomes sometimes resembling taproots, multicipital. Stems erect (often purplish proximally), sparsely to moderately hirsute to villoso-hirsute, eglandular. Leaves basal (persistent) and cauline; proximal blades narrowly oblanceolate, rarely oblanceolate-obovate, (10–)40–160 × 2–8 mm, mid and distal narrowly lanceolate, reduced, margins entire, faces sparsely hirsute or glabrous, eglandular. Heads 1–2(–4) (from branches at midstem). Involucres 6–10 × 12–19 mm. Phyllaries in 2(–3) series (linear-lanceolate, apices linear-acuminate), sparsely to moderately woolly-villous (hairs whitish, flattened, with clear cross walls), sometimes sparsely minutely glandular. Ray florets 42–82; corollas white to pink or pink-purple, 10–15 mm (mostly 1–2 mm wide), laminae coiling. Disc corollas 3.8–5.2 mm. Cypselae 1.7–2 mm, 2-nerved, faces strigose; pappi: outer of setae or scales, inner of 15–20 bristles.

Erigeron glabellus Nuttall var. yukonensis (Rydberg) Hultén

Erigeron yukonensis is a rare Arctic species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Yukon fleabane. It is native to the northwestern corner of North America: Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories.

Erigeron yukonensis grows in rocky slopes and meadows, usually above the tree line. It is a branching perennial herb up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) tall, producing a taproot and a woody underground caudex. It generally produces 1-4 flower heads per stem. Each head contains 42–82 pink, purple, or white ray florets surrounding numerous yellow disc florets.