Agoseris ×elata
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Agoseris ×elata is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by large size and elongating inner bracts distinctive.
Agoseris elata is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in montane meadows, lake margins, and streamsides at elevations of 1,400 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces orange or yellow flowers that often dry purple, with blossoms in heads 15 to 20 millimeters wide featuring rosy-purple phyllaries. Growing 15 to 65 centimeters tall with generally erect stems, it develops distinctive oblanceolate leaves 15 to 45 centimeters long with 2 to 4 pairs of lanceolate lobes. Its leaves are mostly glabrous, sometimes glaucous, with white-opaque hairs occasionally present. The fruit develops with a body 8 to 10 millimeters long, featuring straight ribs and a beak approximately equal in length to the body.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 9 species; large size and elongating inner bracts distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane meadows, lake margins, streamsides
Elevation: generally 1400-2800 m
Outside California: Oregon, Washington
Bloom period
Agoseris ×elata blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Taraxacum: Agoseris bracts graduate gradually in size; Taraxacum has dramatically smaller outer bracts and longer one-sided pappus.; vs Hypochaeris: Agoseris has completely bractless stems; Hypochaeris often has small leafy bracts partway up the stem.; vs Microseris: Agoseris pappus bristles evenly distributed; Microseris has 5-80 white scales (not plume-like bristles).; vs Uropappus: Agoseris has plume-like bristles; Uropappus has 5 large silvery scales alternating with 5 smaller ones.; vs Leontodon: Agoseris has unbranched scapes; Leontodon often has branched stems with multiple heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Agoseris ×elata native to California?
Yes. Agoseris ×elata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Agoseris ×elata bloom?
Agoseris ×elata blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Agoseris ×elata belong to?
Agoseris ×elata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Agoseris.
What habitat does Agoseris ×elata grow in?
Agoseris ×elata grows in Montane meadows, lake margins, streamsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Agoseris glauca var. glauca — Pale agoseris
- Agoseris grandiflora — Bigflower agoseris
- Agoseris grandiflora var. grandiflora — Giant mountain dandelion
- Agoseris grandiflora var. leptophylla — Giant mountain dandelion
- Agoseris heterophylla — Annual agoseris
- Agoseris heterophylla var. cryptopleura — Mountain dandelion
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.