Erigeron strigosus (Prairie Fleabane)

Native to North America, this herb grows in dry open woodland, roadsides and disturbed ground. Plants may be annual, biennial or short-lived perennial. Fine, mostly upward-pointing hairs cover the erect stems. Basal leaves usually persist through flowering, while the leaves along the stem become progressively smaller toward its tip. The small composite flower heads have bright yellow centers surrounded by slender white rays, sometimes faintly tinted pink or purple. Each mature head produces many small, dry fruits with bristles. Photographed in Florida.