Annuals, (50–) 100–200 cm (glabrous or unevenly coarse-tomentose, sometimes ± succulent). Taproots with tufts of fibrous-roots. Stems 1 (–2+), erect. Leaves evenly distributed (proximal often withering before flowering); indistinctly petiolate or subsessile; blades ovatelanceolate to lanceolate, (3–) 6–20 × (1–) 2–8 cm, margins subentire to serrate or weakly lobed (distal leaves clasping, bractlike). Heads 2–20 (–40) in ± corymbiform arrays. Involucres urceolate or obconic, 10–17 mm. Phyllaries usually 21. Receptacles (disclike, conspicuously expanded when fresh) 5–12 mm diam. Cypselae 2.3–3 or 4–5 mm, nerves 10–12 or 16–20, faces puberulent between nerves or glabrous.

Distribution

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N.B., N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Ark., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Mass., Md., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.C., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Nebr., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Vt., W.Va., Wash., Wis., West Indies, South America, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia

Discussion

Varieties 3 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Erechtites hieraciifolius var. hieraciifolius, Erechtites hieraciifolius var. megalocarpus

Key

1	Stems and leaves dry or turgid, not succulent; receptacles 5–8 mm diam.; cypselae 2.3–3 mm, nerves 10–12 (widespread)	Erechtites hieraciifolius var. hieraciifolius
1	Stems and leaves succulent; receptacles 9–12+ mm diam.; cypselae 4–5 mm, nerves 16–20 (coastal marshes; Massachusetts to New Jersey)	Erechtites hieraciifolius var. megalocarpus