Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens
Mt. Lassen fleabane
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens (Mt. Lassen fleabane) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by complete lack of ray flowers.
Mt. Lassen fleabane is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas County, inhabiting open, rocky sites, barren flats, and gravelly soils at elevations of 1,200 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces delicate white flowers. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms low-growing clusters in harsh mountain environments. Its leaves are typically narrow and spatulate, clustering near the base of the plant and adapting to sparse, rocky terrain. The plant's ability to thrive in challenging serpentine landscapes demonstrates its remarkable resilience in high-elevation, rocky habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; key feature is complete lack of ray flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky sites, barren flats, gravelly soils, sometimes serpentine
Elevation: 1200-1900 m
Bloom period
Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 lassenianus var. deficiens native to California?
Yes. Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens bloom?
Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens belong to?
Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens rare or endangered?
Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens grow in?
Erigeron lassenianus var. deficiens grows in Open, rocky sites, barren flats, gravelly soils, sometimes serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.