Erigeron greenei
Greene's narrow-leaved daisy
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Erigeron greenei (Greene's narrow-leaved daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by discoid heads (no ray flowers) unique in genus.
Greene's narrow-leaved daisy is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges in serpentine chaparral, woodland, and conifer forest at elevations of 500 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to purple flower heads 8 to 12 millimeters wide with no ray flowers. Growing with multiple stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall emerging from a stout woody base, it has few branches toward the stem tips. Its cauline leaves are thread-like to linear, 1 to 6 centimeters long, evenly spaced along the stem with ciliate edges and glabrous surfaces. The flower heads feature phyllaries with distinctive purple tips and dense minute glandular surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; discoid heads (no ray flowers) unique in genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally on serpentine, sometimes rocky alluvium, chaparral, woodland, conifer forest
Elevation: (100)500-1600 m
California counties: Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Trinity, Tehama, Shasta, Siskiyou, Colusa
Bloom period
Erigeron greenei blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 greenei native to California?
Yes. Erigeron greenei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron greenei bloom?
Erigeron greenei blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Erigeron greenei grow?
Erigeron greenei occurs in Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Trinity, Tehama, Shasta, Siskiyou, Colusa, at elevations of (100)500-1600 m.
What plant family does Erigeron greenei belong to?
Erigeron greenei is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron greenei rare or endangered?
Erigeron greenei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2?.
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.