Ethnobotany

No ethnobotanical use of this plant is recorded.

The flowers of this small plant are very similar to those of the tufted fleabane (Erigeron caespitosus), but sometimes the blossoms have just the yellow central disk florets without the white ray florets. Also this plant is usually shorter, being only 5–15 cm tall. The distinctive feature of compound fleabane is its finely divided leaves. 

Botany

Growth habit and range: This is a somewhat uncommon, low, tufted perennial herb which is found on hillsides and dry sites on the prairies. This plant grows to a height of 2–15 cm.

Description: The grey-green, hairy leaves are predominantly basal in location, and are divided into 3 linear lobes. The flowers appear from June to August and are borne singly at the stem tips. Each flower measures 10–15 mm in diameter and is composed of 60–90 white (rarely blue or pink) ray florets and a central cluster of yellow disk florets. Sometimes, the ray florets are absent. Three to 4 series of bracts surround the base of each flower. The fruit is an achene with a bristly pappus. The seed itself measures 1–2 mm in length.