Daisy Fleabane Traditional Geocache

Daisy Fleabane is common along this trail. It looks like an aster, but as it blooms early, it's a fleabane. The cache is about 0.7 miles from the parking area at Burns Rd.

Daisy fleabane, like other fleabane wildflowers, derives its common name from the superstition that dried clusters of these plants could be used to rid a dwelling of fleas. Although it cannot do that, it is however used as a diuretic and medicine for digestive ailments.

While the fleabanes (Erigeron spp.) are often dismissed as 'weeds' because of their ubiquitousness during the summer, they are actually rather attractive plants that are beneficial to many small insects that have important roles in the functioning of the ecological system. As pioneer species, fleabanes are also useful in providing early cover for exposed ground, thereby reducing soil erosion. 

Although in the Aster family, it is distinguished from asters with similar flowers by its earlier blooming season.

Only the leaves are edible. They are hairy so they have a somewhat ‘furry’ texture making eating them raw not exactly too pleasing. They can be used wherever you cook with greens. Daisy fleabane leaf extracts contain caffeic acid which is an active compound that has antioxidative and neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells.

The cache is tied in. It is a camoed, big "micro" pill bottle. This one, you have to Push Hard and Twist, both to Open and  Close. The log is rolled and held with a rubber band, which helps to get it in and out of the tiny plastic bag. Please keep the rubber band on your finger while you log. That way you may not loose it. BYOP.