Erigeron multiceps

Kern river daisy

Family: Asteraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Kern river daisy is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains in riverbanks, sandy flats, and meadows within pine or aspen woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to light purple ray flowers in small heads 7 to 10 millimeters wide, with delicate petals 5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing 12 to 20 centimeters tall with decumbent to ascending stems that are sparsely hairy and few-branched near the middle, it emerges from a simple taproot. Its basal leaves are distinctive, measuring 2 to 5 centimeters long, oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, and either entire or with occasional small teeth. The plant produces numerous ray flowers, ranging from 75 to 125 per head, creating a delicate and intricate floral display.

Habitat: Riverbanks, sandy flats, meadows in pine or aspen woodland

Bloom period: Jun-Aug

Elevation: 1500-2500 m

Bioregions: s SNH, SnBr.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.