Erigeron lassenianus
Lassen fleabane, Lassen Fleabane
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Erigeron lassenianus (Lassen fleabane) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family.
Lassen fleabane is a California native perennial found in the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada in montane habitats at elevations between 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to pink or lavender ray flowers 5 to 8 millimeters long in small radiate heads. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 9 to 35 centimeters tall, the plant has a distinctive purple-tinted stem with appressed to spreading hairs. Its basal leaves are linear to spoon-shaped, measuring 5 to 15 centimeters long and generally one-veined, with cauline leaves becoming progressively smaller toward the inflorescence. The plant emerges from a simple taproot and caudex, with flower heads long-peduncled and typically ranging from 1 to 8 in number.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species
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 lassenianus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron lassenianus is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Erigeron lassenianus belong to?
Erigeron lassenianus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
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.