Pulicaria dysenterica, the common fleabane, or, in North America, meadow false fleabane, is a species of fleabane in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe and western Asia where it grows in a variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid Mediterranean woodlands to wetter situations.[1] Pulicaria dysenterica is perennial and can form dense clusters of plants, spreading by its roots. It flowers at its maximum height of about 60cm (20inches).[2] Leaves are alternately arranged and clasp the stem, which itself contains a salty-astringent liquid. The yellow inflorescences are typically composed of a prominent centre of 40–100 disc florets surrounded by 20–30 narrow, pistillate ray florets. When setting seed the flower heads reflex.[3]
Common fleabane is the main food plant for the fleabane tortoise beetle (Cassida murraea),[4] and for four micromoths, Apodia bifractella,[5] Ptocheuusa paupella,[6] dusky plume (Oidaematophorus lithodactyla)[7] and Digitivalva pulicariae.[8]
Fleabane's common name comes from its former use as an incense to drive away insects.[3] Other past uses include treatments for dysentery and unspecified ocular maladies.[1]