Erigeron algidus
Sierra fleabane, Sierra Fleabane
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron algidus (Sierra fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive black-purple phyllaries and very high ray count (50-125).
Sierra fleabane is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in alpine meadows and talus slopes at elevations of 2,600 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to lavender ray flowers 7 to 13 millimeters long, which curl when dry, arranged in solitary heads 8 to 16 millimeters wide. Growing with compact stems 2 to 20 centimeters tall, it emerges from a short, thick, strongly fibrous-rooted caudex with unbranched stems that are sparsely and loosely spreading-hairy. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, measuring 2 to 7 centimeters long, while cauline leaves are much reduced and strigose or somewhat bristly. The plant's distinctive involucre has phyllaries that are nearly equal in length with black-purple edges and spreading hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; distinctive black-purple phyllaries and very high ray count (50-125)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alpine meadows, talus
Elevation: 2600-3700 m
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Erigeron algidus blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Bellis: Erigeron has double-layered pappus (outer scales + inner bristles); Bellis completely lacks pappus.; vs Symphyotrichum: Erigeron has double pappus (2 layers); Symphyotrichum has single layer of uniform bristles.; vs Corethrogyne: Erigeron has simple unbranched stems; Corethrogyne has branched stems.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Erigeron has flat button-like flower heads; Pseudognaphalium has woolly clustered heads without rays.; vs Artemisia: Erigeron has obvious ray petals around yellow disk; Artemisia lacks ray petals entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Is Erigeron algidus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron algidus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron algidus bloom?
Erigeron algidus blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Erigeron algidus belong to?
Erigeron algidus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron algidus grow in?
Erigeron algidus grows in Alpine meadows, talus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.