Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis
Naked-stemmed daisy, naked-stemmed sunray
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis (Naked-stemmed daisy) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by . Key features: basal leaves, ruffled leaf texture, smaller heads 4-9 cm, unwinged petioles.
Naked-stemmed daisy is a California native perennial found in stony hillsides and canyons at elevations of 950 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white ray flowers in large heads 4 to 9 centimeters in diameter with numerous elongated petals. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with distinctively gray-canescent herbage and long peduncles up to 4.5 decimeters, it develops an upright, somewhat spreading form. Its basal leaves are distinctive, with ovate or triangular blades 1 to 6 centimeters long that feature wavy, ruffled surfaces and appear slightly lobed. The fruit is silky-hairy, approximately 9 millimeters long with small smooth pappus awns.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated species. Key features: basal leaves, ruffled leaf texture, smaller heads 4-9 cm, unwinged petioles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Stony hillsides and canyons
Elevation: 950-2000 m
Outside California: to Idaho, Utah, northern Arizona
Bloom period
Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Encelia: Silvery-leaved herb with basal rosette vs. woody shrub with leaves along stems.; vs Helianthella: Silvery-gray leaves vs. bright green leaves in Helianthella.
Frequently asked questions
Is Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis native to California?
Yes. Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis bloom?
Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis belong to?
Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Enceliopsis.
Is Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis rare or endangered?
Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis grow in?
Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. nudicaulis grows in Stony hillsides and canyons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.