Erigeron maniopotamicus
Mad river fleabane daisy
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Erigeron maniopotamicus (Mad river fleabane daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by shaggy-hairy bracts, 3-nerved leaves, large rays.
Mad river fleabane daisy is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in dry, barren meadows and mixed-conifer woodland openings at elevations of 1,300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to pink or pale purple ray flowers in heads 9 to 12 millimeters wide. Growing 10 to 22 centimeters tall with stems branched at the base and covered in stiff, spreading hairs, it forms a relatively thick taproot. Its leaves are oblanceolate to narrowly spoon-shaped, ranging 3 to 10 centimeters long, with three prominent veins and spreading hairs. The flower heads typically appear solitary, with 21 to 33 ray flowers creating a delicate, distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; key features are shaggy-hairy bracts, 3-nerved leaves, large rays
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, barren meadows and openings in mixed-conifer woodland
Elevation: 1300-1500 m
Bloom period
Erigeron maniopotamicus blooms Jun-Aug.
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 maniopotamicus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron maniopotamicus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron maniopotamicus bloom?
Erigeron maniopotamicus blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Erigeron maniopotamicus belong to?
Erigeron maniopotamicus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron maniopotamicus rare or endangered?
Erigeron maniopotamicus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1S2.
What habitat does Erigeron maniopotamicus grow in?
Erigeron maniopotamicus grows in Dry, barren meadows and openings in mixed-conifer woodland.
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.