Canada Fleabane (Conyza canadensisor Erigeron canadensis)

Varieties found in Western Canada also include Eastern daisy fleabane (Erigeron annuus ) and Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus). Canada Fleabane is a winter or summer annual with a short taproot, and a rosette of dark green , sparsely hairy leaves with smooth, or slightly toothed margins. It produces one or more erect flowering stems, with numerous, narrow leaves crowded together on the stem. The daisy-like flower heads are very small (about 1/8 inch in diameter), and numerous, on short branches, near the top of the main stem. The seeds are almost transparent, and have an attached pappus, or parachute; which carries the seed for long distances on the wind; (much like a dandelion seed). Other common names of this wild vegetable are horseweed, or mares-tail (both used in the USA), and vergerette du Canada, in French speaking Canada.

1. Young plants are edible when boiled
2. Young plants are suitable as a potherb.
3. Grows in fields, disturbed areas, open woods, thickets, and along roadsides. With the reduction of tillage on many farm, it  now increasingly occurs as a weed of arable fields; where there is no soil disturbance to interrupt its life cycle.
4. It can be found in all soil types, including organic soils; but is most common in course textured soils.
5. May cause miscarriages and should not be consumed by pregnant women.