fleabane

[ flee-beyn ]

noun

1. any of various composite plants, as Pulicaria dysenterica, of Europe, or Erigeron philadelphicus, of the U.S., reputed to destroy or drive away fleas.

fleabane

/ ˈfliːˌbeɪn /

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Erigeron , such as E. acer , having purplish tubular flower heads with orange centres: family Asteraceae (composites)
2. any of several plants of the related genus Pulicaria , esp the Eurasian P. dysenterica , which has yellow daisy-like flower heads
3. Canadian fleabane
   a related plant, Conyza (or Erigeron ) canadensis , with small white tubular flower heads US namehorseweed
4. any of various other plants reputed to ward off fleas

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleabane¹

First recorded in 1540–50; flea + bane

Example Sentences

Whereas the fleabanes generally bloom in spring and early summer, the asters bloom from late summer into fall.

From Washington Times

She roasted the bacon and washed up the mugs and knives and sprinkled fleabane about to keep the fleas down.

From Literature

Burdock and turkey tail mushrooms, stellar jays and golden fleabane.

From New York Times

Desert wildflowers, including globe-shaped yellow sand verbena, daisylike purple fleabane and violet lupine, bloomed in the dunes.

From New York Times

North Texas includes showy evening primrose, fleabane and wild indigo.

From Washington Times