Chihuahuan Fleabane

Erigeron velutipes is known from a single locality in southern Arizona. It is closely similar to E. lobatus and E. piscaticus. The group needs detailed study.

Annuals, 5–20 cm; taprooted. Stems usually erect, sometimes ascending, sparsely hispido-pilose (hairs 0.5–1.5 mm), densely and minutely stipitate-glandular. Leaves basal (and proximal cauline abruptly withering) and cauline; basal and proximal cauline blades lanceolate-obovate to narrowly obovate-spatulate, 80–650 × 4–16 mm, cauline reduced, margins usually with 1–2(–3) pairs of shallow teeth, sometimes entire, faces sparsely hispido-pilose, minutely glandular. Heads 1(–3). Involucres 2.5–3.5 × 5–7(–9) mm. Phyllaries in 2–3 series, sparsely hispido-pilose, minutely glandular. Ray florets 50–75; corollas white to bluish, drying blue, 3.5–5.5 mm, laminae not coiling or reflexing. Disc corollas 1.7–2.4 mm. Cypselae 0.8–1.1 mm, 2-nerved, faces sparsely strigose; pappi: outer of setae, inner of ca. 20 bristles. 2n = 54.

Erigeron alamosanus Rose

Erigeron velutipes is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names delicate fleabane and Chihuahuan fleabane.

It is native to northern and southwestern Mexico, including in the states of Sonora, Nayarit, Michoacán, and Jalisco) and just over the United States border into Santa Cruz County, Arizona.

Erigeron velutipes grows in moist locations near springs. It is an annual herb up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) tall, producing a taproot. The inflorescence is made up of 1-3 flower heads per stem. Each head contains 50–75; white or blue ray florets surrounding numerous yellow disc florets.