Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae
Dwarf yellow fleabane, Dwarf Yellow Fleabane
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) (via Wikimedia Commons) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae (Dwarf yellow fleabane) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by unique for yellow rays among California Erigeron species.
Dwarf yellow fleabane is a California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in rocky sagebrush scrub and crevices at elevations of 1,200 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in small heads 10 to 15 millimeters wide, with inconspicuous ray flowers. Growing as a compact, tufted herb only 3 to 12 centimeters tall with an unbranched stem, it emerges from a woody taproot with short-branched base. Its leaves are primarily basal, narrow and linear to oblanceolate, 2 to 8 centimeters long, with ciliate edges and surfaces covered in short, rough hairs. The plant forms dense, low-growing clusters with sparsely hairy stems, creating a delicate profile in its harsh rocky habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; unique for yellow rays among California Erigeron species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Crevices, rocky slopes, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1200-1700 m
California counties: Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Mono, Plumas, Inyo
Outside California: to southeastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, northern Nevada
Bloom period
Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae blooms May-Jun.
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 chrysopsidis var. austiniae native to California?
Yes. Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae bloom?
Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae grow?
Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae occurs in Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Mono, Plumas, Inyo, at elevations of 1200-1700 m.
What plant family does Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae belong to?
Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae grow in?
Erigeron chrysopsidis var. austiniae grows in Crevices, rocky slopes, sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.