Erigeron coulteri
Coulter's fleabane
(c) Garth Harwood, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron coulteri (Coulter's fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tall stature, wet habitat, and black-based hairs diagnostic.
Coulter's fleabane is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains in streambanks, wet meadows, and conifer forest at elevations of 1,900 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white ray flowers up to 25 millimeters long in delicate heads 10 to 16 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 20 to 70 centimeters tall, it emerges from a thin rhizome and branches sparingly near the mid-stem. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate, 5 to 12 centimeters long, with 2 to 6 pairs of shallow teeth and sparsely hairy surfaces. The plant's distinctive ray flowers feature spreading hairs with black cross-walls, creating a delicate and intricate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 46 sympatric species; tall stature, wet habitat, and black-based hairs diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks, wet meadows, conifer forest
Elevation: +- 1900-3400 m.
Outside California: to Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico
Bloom period
Erigeron coulteri blooms Jul-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 coulteri native to California?
Yes. Erigeron coulteri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron coulteri bloom?
Erigeron coulteri blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Erigeron coulteri belong to?
Erigeron coulteri is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron coulteri grow in?
Erigeron coulteri grows in Streambanks, wet meadows, conifer forest.
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.