Fleabane

you have the "blue" variant here, which contains limonene and gallic acid amongst others, its folk use was for dysentry.

Actually I think the blue is simply a trick of light. It was white, maybe ever so slightly bluer than pure white.

 

I've also seen it in pink and purple.

Actually I think the blue is simply a trick of light. It was white, maybe ever so slightly bluer than pure white.

 

I've also seen it in pink and purple.

 

Three variants exist, white, blue and canadian.

Is canadian the pinkish purple I've seen?

 

This really does repel insects. I had some pesky flies buzzing around my head until I stuck some of this in my hair

Is canadian the pinkish purple I've seen?

 

This really does repel insects. I had some pesky flies buzzing around my head until I stuck some of this in my hair

Its the limonene, they hate it! Yes the Canadian variant is described as pink-ive never seen it , it is confined to your American ecosystem.

Oh I see. Well if I find some of that I'll take a pic for you! For the most part all I've seen around here is the white.

 

I always thought that the different colors were due to different minerals in the soil...certain plants grow different colors in different places (for example "blue eyed grass" is often magenta! I have pictures of both the blue and magenta varieties I'll post them later)

Looks like a weed to me.

haha but it's pretty and useful.