Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis
Franciscan erigeron
(c) Madeleine Claire, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Madeleine Claire · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis (Franciscan erigeron) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by glandular bristly phyllaries diagnostic.
Franciscan erigeron is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including San Francisco Bay, central Coast, and southern coastal areas in grassy dunes, chaparral, and oak woodland at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white to pale lavender ray flowers 7 to 10 millimeters long in delicate, open clusters. Growing with slender stems 20 to 40 centimeters tall, it has a sparse, somewhat stiff growth habit. Its leaves are narrow, 20 to 40 millimeters long and generally 2 to 4 millimeters wide, with a slightly rough, strigose surface. The flower heads feature distinctive orange-resinous midveins and widely scarious phyllary margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; glandular bristly phyllaries diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy dunes, chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, Napa, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis blooms May-Oct.
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 foliosus var. franciscensis native to California?
Yes. Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis bloom?
Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis grow?
Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis occurs in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis belong to?
Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis grow in?
Erigeron foliosus var. franciscensis grows in Grassy dunes, chaparral, oak woodland.
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.