Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis
Northern sierra daisy
Photo: parent species Erigeron petrophilus · (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis (Northern sierra daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by crinkly hairs, uniform bract tips (not widened/purple).
Northern sierra daisy is a native perennial herb found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in rocky foothills to montane forests, sometimes on serpentine, at elevations of 300 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in daisy-like heads with delicate, loose petals. Growing with loose, crinkly stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it features herbage that is densely covered in glandular hairs. Its leaves are variable, typically narrow and elongated, with a soft, hairy texture that gives the plant a distinctive, slightly fuzzy appearance. The plant's delicate, glandular stems and loose flower clusters make it a charming inhabitant of Sierra Nevada's rocky mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; key features are crinkly hairs, uniform bract tips (not widened/purple)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky foothills to montane forest, sometimes on serpentine
Elevation: 300-1900 m
Bloom period
Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 petrophilus var. sierrensis native to California?
Yes. Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis bloom?
Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis belong to?
Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
Is Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis rare or endangered?
Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis grow in?
Erigeron petrophilus var. sierrensis grows in Rocky foothills to montane forest, sometimes on serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Erigeron petrophilus var. viscidulus — Klamath rock daisy
- Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus — Philadelphia fleabane
- Erigeron pumilus var. intermedius — Shaggy fleabane
- Erigeron pygmaeus — Pygmy fleabane
- Erigeron reductus — Little rayless fleabane
- Erigeron reductus var. angustatus — Lesser California rayless fleabane
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.