Erigeron miser
Starved daisy
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Erigeron miser (Starved daisy) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by long spreading hairs, many stems, rayless heads.
Starved daisy is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains on rocky sites at elevations of 1,900 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white flowers in small discoid heads with no ray flowers, typically 1 to 4 heads on long stalks. Growing 5 to 25 centimeters tall with decumbent to ascending stems that are densely covered in long spreading hairs, it emerges from a woody base with multiple stems. Its cauline leaves are narrowly oblanceolate, 7 to 16 millimeters long, evenly spaced along the stem and covered with white spreading hairs and minute glandular dots. The fruit develops with 12 to 28 pappus bristles, contributing to its delicate alpine appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; key features are long spreading hairs, many stems, rayless heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky sites
Elevation: 1900-2300 m
Bloom period
Erigeron miser blooms Jul-Oct.
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 miser native to California?
Yes. Erigeron miser is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron miser bloom?
Erigeron miser blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Erigeron miser belong to?
Erigeron miser is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron miser rare or endangered?
Erigeron miser carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3?.
What habitat does Erigeron miser grow in?
Erigeron miser grows in Rocky sites.
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.