Erigeron pygmaeus
Pygmy fleabane
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Erigeron pygmaeus (Pygmy fleabane) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tiny size, purple-black bracts, highest elevation range.
Pygmy fleabane is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada mountain ranges in rocky subalpine and alpine habitats at elevations of 2,900 to 4,100 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces blue or purple flowers in small heads about 15 to 20 millimeters wide, with 20 to 37 delicate ray flowers. Growing as a tiny, densely clustered herb only 1 to 6 centimeters tall with an extremely compact form, it emerges from a short-branched caudex with a taproot. Its leaves are primarily basal, narrow and linear to oblanceolate, 6 to 35 millimeters long, with rough surfaces and ciliate edges. The plant's involucre is notable for its purple-black phyllaries with stiff spreading hairs, giving it a distinctive appearance in its high-altitude alpine environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; key features are tiny size, purple-black bracts, highest elevation range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky sites, subalpine forest to alpine talus
Elevation: 2900-4100 m
Outside California: west-central Nevada
Bloom period
Erigeron pygmaeus blooms Jul-Aug.
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 pygmaeus native to California?
Yes. Erigeron pygmaeus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Erigeron pygmaeus bloom?
Erigeron pygmaeus blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Erigeron pygmaeus belong to?
Erigeron pygmaeus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Erigeron.
What habitat does Erigeron pygmaeus grow in?
Erigeron pygmaeus grows in Rocky sites, subalpine forest to alpine talus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.