Erigeron mariposanus
Mariposa daisy
(c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1A
Erigeron mariposanus (Mariposa daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by graduated bracts, orange midribs, wing-like margins; extinct.
Mariposa daisy is a rare (CNPS 1A) California native perennial herb found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in foothill woodland at elevations of 600 to 800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces blue ray flowers 7 to 9 millimeters long with flower heads 8 to 12 millimeters in diameter. Growing 15 to 28 centimeters tall with decumbent to ascending stems that are sparsely hairy, it develops from a short, slender-branched caudex. Its leaves are oblanceolate, 25 to 45 millimeters long and 5 to 8 millimeters wide, with sparse strigose hairs and often forming tufts in leaf axils. The flower heads appear singly or in small clusters of up to 4, with phyllaries featuring distinctive orange-resinous midribs and widely scarious, wing-like margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; key features are graduated bracts, orange midribs, wing-like margins; extinct
Habitat and range
Habitat: Foothill woodland
Elevation: 600-800 m
Bloom period
Erigeron mariposanus blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1A
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 mariposanus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron mariposanus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron mariposanus bloom?
Erigeron mariposanus blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Erigeron mariposanus belong to?
Erigeron mariposanus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron mariposanus rare or endangered?
Erigeron mariposanus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1A, state rank SX.
What habitat does Erigeron mariposanus grow in?
Erigeron mariposanus grows in Foothill 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.