In 1753 Linnaeus gave the genus its name from the Greek "eri" ("early") + "geron" ("old man", as in "geriatrics", the study of old age processes and problems).  Perhaps the Greek name refers to characteristics of some now unknown plant or perhaps it refers to the early flowering of many species and to the bristly pappus of the developing seed, or perhaps to the puffy, grizzled appearance of the mature seed head.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Openings. Spring.
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, April 18, 2007.Erigeron concinnus is a common Erigeron of the lower elevations.  It is fairly easy to recognize because of its unusual appearance  --  it looks blurry.  It is so completely covered in fine hairs that project at right angles from leaves and stems that it projects a blurred image, but a close look refocuses our eyes and we see a myriad of trickster hairs.   The plant commonly grows with multiple stems topped by nodding flower buds.   Stems eventually straighten and white to light blue flowers open.

There is some disagreement over the name of this plant.  It was first named Distasis concinna by Hooker and Arnot in 1839 and has since undergone several name changes.  Weber, The Flora of North America, and Kartesz accept Torrey and Gray's 1841 Erigeron concinnus; Welsh and Intermountain accept Dorn's 1988 Erigeron pumilus variety  concinnus.  "Concinnus" means "pretty".

Semi-desert, foothills.  Openings. Spring.
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, April 18, 2007.

Semi-desert, foothills.  Openings. Spring.
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, April 27, 2007.

Range maps © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color KeySpecies present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Erigeron concinnus