Erigeron elmeri
Elmer's fleabane, Elmer's Fleabane
Dean Wm. Taylor (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron elmeri (Elmer's fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by graduated phyllaries and stem-only leaves diagnostic.
Elmer's fleabane is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains on rocky ledges, crevices, and talus slopes at elevations of 1,300 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white ray flowers that may dry to pink or blue, with flower heads 7 to 10 millimeters in diameter. Growing with prostrate to slightly erect wiry stems 6 to 20 centimeters tall, it emerges from woody roots and slender rhizomes. Its narrow leaves are 5 to 20 millimeters long, linear to oblanceolate, and covered in strigose hairs. The distinctive flower heads feature 12 to 21 ray flowers with phyllaries that are strongly graduated and often have purple-tipped inner bracts.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; graduated phyllaries and stem-only leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock ledges, crevices, talus
Elevation: 1300-3300 m
Bloom period
Erigeron elmeri blooms Jun-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 elmeri native to California?
Yes. Erigeron elmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron elmeri bloom?
Erigeron elmeri blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Erigeron elmeri belong to?
Erigeron elmeri is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron elmeri grow in?
Erigeron elmeri grows in rock ledges, crevices, talus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.