Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Astereae
Genus: Erigeron
Species: E. karvinskianus
Binomial name: Erigeron karvinskianus
Common name: Mexican daisy, Profusion, Seaside daisy, Bony-tip fleabane, Daisy fleabane
This wildflower is native to much of South America and also Mexico. Mexican daisy is sprawling perennial daisy that grows up to 40cm tall, with long thin stems. It may be nice to look at, but is considered a weed because of its ability to form dense mats of ground cover, particularly in the North Island and the upper South Island. These clumps smother native vegetation and, as they die off, pave the way for other invasive weed species, such as climbing vines. In addition, it is able to survive and spread in a huge range of habitats, from intact stands of bush to riverbeds and herbfields, and can tolerate anything from moderate shade to full sun.
Leaves are deep green above and grey/green below. Lower leaves are 3-lobed or 3-5-toothed at apex; upper leaves are linear-lanced or elliptic, entire to toothed or shallowly lobed with a short leafy stalk. Leaves are in clusters arranged alternately along the stem. Its leaves give off a distinct fragrance when crushed.
It has pretty daisy-like flowers which range from white to white-purple to pink, with a yellow to brownish-yellow central disc. The flowers typically appear throughout the year, The fruit is an achene which is pale brown, oblong and sparsely hairy. The pappus (the appendage on the seed) consists of fine whitish hairs. The seed is very fine and spreads easily assisted by the wind.
The leaves vary in shape.
The leaves further up the stem.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
