Erigeron elegantulus
Volcanic daisy, Volcanic Daisy
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Erigeron elegantulus (Volcanic daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive white leaf bases diagnostic.
Volcanic daisy is a California native perennial herb found in the Modoc Plateau in open, rocky volcanic sites, sagebrush scrub, and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white to pink or blue (lavender) ray flowers 6 to 9 millimeters long in solitary heads. Growing as a low-growing herb 3 to 15 centimeters tall with an unbranched stem sparsely covered in minute white appressed hairs, it emerges from a taproot with a slender-branched caudex. Its basal leaves are distinctive, measuring 15 to 50 millimeters long and only 0.5 to 1 millimeter wide, appearing linear to narrowly oblanceolate with a white-shiny, hardened base that partially encircles the stem. The plant produces a pappus with 20 to 30 bristles, contributing to its delicate appearance in volcanic and high desert landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; distinctive white leaf bases diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky sites, especially in volcanics, sagebrush scrub, juniper woodland
Elevation: 1000-2200 m
Outside California: eastern Oregon
Bloom period
Erigeron elegantulus blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 elegantulus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron elegantulus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron elegantulus bloom?
Erigeron elegantulus blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Erigeron elegantulus belong to?
Erigeron elegantulus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron elegantulus rare or endangered?
Erigeron elegantulus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Erigeron elegantulus grow in?
Erigeron elegantulus grows in Open, rocky sites, especially in volcanics, sagebrush scrub, juniper woodland.
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.