Leafy Fleabane (Erigeron foliosus) is native in the Yolo County foothills but is shown here in a garden in Woodland. Photo by queerbychoice.

Fleabanes are a group of herbaceous perennials in the Aster family, mainly in the genus Erigeron and a few related genera. They can be propagated by seed or division.

Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) is a one- to two-foot tall fleabane that is native in the northeastern part of West Sacramento (and throughout most of the U.S., including Philadelphia). Depending on environmental conditions, it can complete its life cycle as an annual or as a short-lived perennial. It grows along roadsides or in fields, thickets, or sunny woodlands. A single plant can bear as many as 35 flower heads. Philadelphia fleabane has been introduced to much of Europe and Asia, where it is an invasive weed.

Leafy Fleabane (Erigeron foliosus) is a one- to three-foot tall perennial that is native in the Yolo County foothills but not in West Sacramento. It can be planted and grown in West Sacramento, however. It prefers partial shade but can take considerable sun. It has multiple stems branching from the same base, with each stem bearing one or a cluster of a few flower heads at the top.

Horseweeds are occasionally called fleabanes and are closely related to the species above. Horseweeds are sometimes classified as part of the same genus (Erigeron) as the species above but other times classified as a separate genus (Conyza). Although it is native, the common garden weed Canada Horseweed/Canada Fleabane (Conyza canadensis) is not most people's idea of pretty.