Erigeron compositus
Cut-leaf fleabane
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron compositus (Cut-leaf fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive deeply divided leaves.
Cut-leaf fleabane is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, high Cascades, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, Warner Mountains, and eastern Sierra Nevada in rocky slopes, crevices, and talus at elevations of 2,000 to 4,300 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to pale pink or lavender ray flowers in small heads with approximately 30 to 60 rays. Growing as a compact, low-growing herb 3 to 15 centimeters tall with a stout taproot and dense, ascending branches, it forms tightly clustered mats. Its primarily basal leaves are intricately divided, with oblanceolate to spoon-shaped blades that are 1 to 5 centimeters long, typically cut into two or three segments and densely covered with fine glandular hairs. The plant's stems are unbranched, densely glandular, and sometimes sparsely covered with soft bristles, giving it a delicate, intricate appearance in its high-elevation alpine and subalpine habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 69 sympatric species; distinctive deeply divided leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, crevices, talus
Elevation: 2000-4300 m
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern Canada, Colorado, Arizona
Bloom period
Erigeron compositus blooms May-Sep.
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 compositus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron compositus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron compositus bloom?
Erigeron compositus blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Erigeron compositus belong to?
Erigeron compositus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron compositus grow in?
Erigeron compositus grows in Rocky slopes, crevices, 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.