Other common names.—Horseweed, colt’s tail, scabious, prideweed, butter weed, fireweed, blood-stanch, cow’s tail, bitter weed. (Fig. 25.)
Fig. 25.—Canada fleabane (Leptilon canadense (L.) Britton).
Range and habitat.—This weed is common in damp, sandy soils in fields and waste places and along roadsides in many parts of the United States, especially throughout the northern Mississippi Valley.
Description.—Canada fleabane is an annual weed belonging to the aster family (Asteraceæ). The stem, which is bristly-hairy, or sometimes smooth, varies greatly in height, according to the soil, being sometimes only 3 inches high, and in favorable soil often reaching a height of 10 feet. The larger plants are branched near the top. The leaves are usually somewhat hairy, those scattered along the stem being rather narrow, with unbroken margins, and the lower ones slightly toothed. From June to November numerous heads of small inconspicuous white flowers are produced, followed by an abundance of seed.
Parts used.—The entire herb is medicinal, and should be gathered during the flowering period and carefully dried. It has a faint, agreeable odor and a somewhat astringent and bitter taste. The fresh herb on distillation yields a volatile oil which is sold as oil of fleabane.
The common name “blood stanch” indicates the use of this plant for arresting hemorrhages from various sources and the bleeding of wounds. It is useful also in diarrhea and dropsy.
Price.—The price paid for erigeron or flea bane ranges from 6 to 8 cents per pound.